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Goodluck Jonathan Weighs Options Between APC, PDP against 2023

Former President Goodluck Jonathan is currently weighing his options between remaining in his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), or decamping to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2023 presidential election, Daily Independent has gathered.

A very close associate of the former president who disclosed this to Daily Independent on Wednesday said he (Jonathan) is widely consulting and will “make a bold decision very soon on whether or not he will listen to the agitations of Nigerians who are yearning for his return”.

He, however, said it won’t be a surprise to him if Jonathan defects to the APC given the political ostracisation he has suffered in the hands of his party and the respect being accorded him in APC.

While recalling what happened during the November 2019 governorship election in Bayelsa State, he said many of the president’s kinsmen are already in APC, adding that the PDP government in the state led by Governor Duoye Diri is not making any efforts to bring them back to the PDP.

“I don’t know if he will join the APC. The ultimate decision is his. But as one of his close political associate, I won’t be surprised if he joins. There are two major political parties in Nigeria presently, APC and PDP, and if your interest is not met in one, you have constitutional right to move to another.

“No PDP member swears any oath to be a lifetime member of the party. That was why we have seen former national chairmen of the party such as Barnabas Gemade, Audu Ogbeh and Kawu Baraje left to join the APC. So, what is the big deal if a former president switches political party?

“Don’t forget what happened during the Bayelsa governorship election when the former president’s kinsmen defected to the APC. Political stalwarts like Chief Robert Enogha, Chief Claudius Enegesi, Chief Beimo Spiff and several others. So, the question is what is the mood of the former president’s kinsmen? These are factors to consider.”

Speaking further, he said Jonathan’s decision to contest will be primarily based on two factors. The first, according to him, will be which political party is ready to give him maximum support in getting the ticket and secondly, the party’s chances in winning the presidential election.

“If he will contest, it will be based on which political party will brighten his chances of getting the ticket. I don’t think he (Jonathan) has the financial war chest to contest presidential primary. I am sure that he will not be asking to be the sole aspirant but there even if there are 20 aspirants, there are ways things will be easier for you if they really wanted you.

“The second is which political party has acceptability among Nigerians and has a higher chance of winning the election. Like I said, I don’t know if he will contest, but I believe he will take a definite position in the coming days”, he said.

In recent times, there have been overtures by leaders of the APC to lure Jonathan into their fold. Recently, he was visited by some APC governors who allegedly persuaded him to join their fold and get the presidential ticket as it will be zoned to the Southern part of the country.

However, Mai Mala Buni, National Caretaker Chairman of the APC and Yobe State governor who led APC governors on the visit to Jonathan’s residence, said it was not in his party’s plan to field the former president for the 2023 presidency.

“You are talking of democracy and at the same time talking of giving him. Don’t forget even when President Buhari went to revalidate party membership in Daura, he said it is the people at the grassroots that will select leaders upwards; that no one should expect to be crowned from Abuja,” the Yobe governor said.

“This has shown that in APC now, it is from the lower level upwards. Not that people would be imposed from the top.

“Then who are we to say we are considering Jonathan? How? It has to be a party affair and once it is a party affair, then we are talking about the people. So, we have nothing like that in our agenda.”

Also, speaking on the issue, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Afenifere chieftain said he expected Jonathan to have come out in clear terms that he was not joining the APC or contesting the 2023 presidential election when it was first mentioned.

When asked to advise Jonathan, Adebanjo who said Jonathan should act according to his conscience, however, added that there is no need trying to smell a food one is not interested in eating.

“I have no advice to give him. If I will advise him, I will only tell him to act according to his conscience. He is knowledgeable and experienced enough to know what to do.

“For me to be preaching to Jonathan not to go to APC? Not me! Let him do it. I understood he has denied that it is not true but to me, I believe to delay so far is condemnable.

“Immediately, they suggested it, he should have come out strongly and rejected it. The Yorubas say what you don’t want to eat, don’t try to smell it. That is why I said today’s politicians are not focused. It is a matter of principle”, he said.

February 25, 2021
Ex-President Jonathan urges politicians to close ranks after elections

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has advised Nigerian politicians not to see elections as coup or war, but rather come together to support whoever emerges winner.

Speaking in Yenegoa, the Bayelsa State capital during the thanksgiving/anniversary service to mark Governor Douye Diri’s one year in office, Jonathan also advised those in politics not to play it with bitterness.

He said, “Our democratic process is recognised by law, so modern day politicians should not begin to practice democracy and contestation to power as if we were organising coup.

“At the end of the political process, we expect that both parties should come together and the winner carries everybody along. Leaders who contested the election must know that it was a political process known by law, and whoever wins, we agree that God gave him that position.

“I want to thank Governor Diri for opening his hands and welcoming every citizen of Bayelsa State, irrespective of political divide. Immediately you win an election you become the governor of everybody,” he said.

Also speaking, Governor Diri appreciated God who made it possible for him to serve the state in that capacity, even when he least expected it.

He said his victory at the Supreme Court on February 13, 2020 was an answer to prayers by men of God and the people of the state.

February 14, 2021
2023 Jonathan Presidency: APC deny plans to adopt him as her candidate

By Gabriel Udeh,, kaduna

Ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied widespread rumour of it planned fielding the former President Goodluck Jonathan as her candidate in the 2023 Presidential election.

This is sequel to reports last week that some Northern governors were working hard under ground to ensure that the former president gets the APC ticket.
The party denied that such story was not on its table but just the creation of some individuals.
Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni who is interim committee chair of the APC, told the BBC Hausa service that there was nothing like courtship in the matter as politics is all about actual talking.

“Those peddling such information ,they are afraid. But for now, there is nothing in the APC which has anything to do with the aspiration for 2023.”
” Even if someone wants to base assumption on our recent visit to him during his birthday, we were there because of his capacity as a former President of Nigeria. “
“Again, even if there is nothing, when we are talking of peaceful coexistence, we must give credit to former President Jonathan on the issue of peace. How he accepted defeat in 2015 and resigned to fate. That has qualified him to be a statesman and he is now among our
fathers.”
Governor Buni said it is customary to visit one another and exchange pleasantries.
“Our visit to Jonathan was pronounced because of his status as a former president, that could be why some may think there was something beneath.”

‘ There are numerous of such visits ,to leaders of PDP, APC, why are others not being mentioned but Jonathan?”
When asked whether the APC would listen to Jonathan if he may eventually, indicate interest, Buni said that would be a new discussion, entirely.
“Even in America where we got this democracy, I’ve not seen where people are being confined to a limit.”

Asked whether the APC is still indecisive on Jonathan, Buni said ” you are talking of democracy and at the same time talking of giving him, don’t forget even when President Buhari went to revalidate party membership in Daura, he said it is the people at the grassroots that will select leaders upwards. That no one should expect to be crowned from Abuja. This has shown that in APC now, it is from the lower level upwards. Not that people would be imposed from the top.”
“Then who are we to say we are considering Jonathan? How? It has to be a party affair and once it is a party affair, then we are talking about the people.

So we have nothing like that in our agenda .What we have now and is of importance to us, is to ensure peace amongst party members. Also, to bring members of other political parties, whichever party it might be, whoever wants ,should come in to the APC.
“This is our plan for now.”
“We are yet to start talking about aspirants, we are not in any discussion about aspirants,” he said.

February 4, 2021
APC denies plan to field ex-President Jonathan in 2023

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied planning to field former President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate in the 2023 presidential election.

There were reports that the Northern Governors were planning to lure Jonathan to declare for the APC and consequently field him for the Presidency in 2023.

However, the party has refuted the speculation and declared that such arrangement was not on the table of the ruling party

Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, the interim committee chairman of the APC spoke with the BBC Hausa service, saying that there was nothing like courtship in the matter as politics is all about political reality.

“Those peddling such information … are afraid,” Buni said. “But for now, there is nothing in the APC which has anything to do with the aspiration for 2023.

“Even if someone wants to base assumption on our recent visit to him during his birthday, we were there because of his capacity as a former President of Nigeria.

“Again, even if there is nothing, when we are talking of peaceful coexistence, we must give credit to former President Jonathan on the issue of peace. How he accepted defeat in 2015 and resigned to fate. That has qualified him to be a statesman and he is now among our fathers.”

Governor Buni said it is customary to visit one another and exchange pleasantries.

“Our visit to Jonathan was pronounced because of his status as a former president, that could be why some may think there was something beneath,” Buni said.

“There are numerous of such visits ,to leaders of PDP, APC, why are others not being mentioned but Jonathan?”

When asked whether the APC would listen to Jonathan if he may eventually indicate interest, Buni said “that would be a new discussion, entirely.”

“Even in America where we got this democracy, I’ve not seen where people are being confined to a limit.”

Asked whether the APC is still indecisive on Jonathan, Buni said “you are talking of democracy and at the same time talking of giving him, don’t forget even when President Buhari went to revalidate party membership in Daura.”

Buni said it is the people at the grassroots that will select leaders upwards.

“That no one should expect to be crowned from Abuja. This has shown that in APC now, it is from the lower level upwards. Not that people would be imposed from the top,” Buni said.

“Then who are we to say we are considering Jonathan? How? It has to be a party affair and once it is a party affair, then we are talking about the people.So we have nothing like that in our agenda .What we have now, and is of importance to us is to ensure peace amongst party members.

“Also, to bring members of other political parties, whichever party it might be, whoever wants ,should come in to the APC. This is our plan for now.

“We are yet to start talking about aspirants, we are not in any discussion about aspirants

February 3, 2021
AfDB: Adesina Will Not Disappoint Africa, Says Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has joined other African leaders and financial experts to congratulate the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina on his re-election.

The ex-President, who joined virtually, during Adesina’s swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, said he is confident the AfDB President will not disappoint Africa and the shareholders in the bank.

To Jonathan, Adesina made a lot of achievements within the first five years of his first tenure as the AfDB boss.

While thanking members of the board and shareholders for re-electing him for another five-year tenure, the ex-President recalled that when Adesina served as Minister of Agriculture during his administration, he (Jonathan) knew what he (Adesina) is made of.

He also expressed the confidence that Adesina will perform better when given the mandate to serve for another term in office.

“Let me first congratulate Adesina for making history, for the number of achievements he made within the first five years.

“Let me also thank all the shareholders for supporting him. I believe that in his second tenure, he will even do better.

“Dr Adesina worked with me as my Minister for Agriculture and I know what he is made up of. I believe he will not disappoint the shareholders,” he said.

Jonathan’s remarks come after Adesina was sworn-in as the newly re-elected eighth AfDB President for a second term.

The event was attended by Heads of States, Governors, Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and over 200 external stakeholders who joined physically and virtually.

The Chairperson of the AfDB board of Governors and Ghana’s Finance Minister, Kenneth Ofori-Attah, administered the oath of office.

September 1, 2020
Adesina – No tension between Buhari and Jonathan

Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, has revealed his principal and predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan have mutual respect and affection for each other.

There is no tension or grudges between the two leaders, he said.

Revealing the behind-the-scene details of the meeting between Buhari and Jonathan on Tuesday at the State House, Adesina, in his weekly column said the atmosphere was “calm, friendly, characteried by absolutely no tension. No animosity.”

Jonathan lost to Buhari in 2015 with their supporters sharply divided till date.

Unlike their supporters, Adesina said the two leaders related very well with mutual respect.

According to him: “While uncountable Jonathanians and Buharists were spitting in one another’s eyes round the country, abusing one another’s father and mother at the same time, here were the two men, the perfect picture of geniality. I say again, no tension, absolutely none. They were both perfect pictures of civility.”

To underscore this, the presidential aide revealed when it time for Jonathan to leave, he headed for the exit door as protocol demands but Buhari “led him through the exit exclusively meant for a sitting President. Very impressive.

“Meanwhile, out there, the Bitter-Enders are knocking their heads against the wall, sitting on the complaint counter and wailing endlessly. But here are the two main men, treating each other like brothers.”

July 24, 2020
Obasanjo, Jonathan, Buhari beneficiaries of electoral fraudDon

A Political Science scholar, Prof. Micheal Oni, has said that all the civilian presidents and vice-presidents the country has produced since independence are beneficiaries of electoral fraud.

The don listed the administrations of Shehu Shagari, Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’ Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari as direct profiteers of electoral violence and manipulations in the country.

The professor of research methodology and Nigerian government said this during the 31st inaugural lecture of the Babcock University, Ilishan in Ogun State.

Speaking on the topic, “Conception and misconceptions of majoritarian democracy and election in Nigeria,” Oni insisted that violence and manipulations had remained part of Nigeria’s politics because political leaders were supporting it.

He further said it would be difficult for the country to have electoral offences tribunal that would ensure a free, fair and credible election in the country because the leaders were benefiting from electoral violence and manipulations.

Oni traced the political problems in the country to the importation of westernized democratic system of government without due consideration to the peculiarity of the environment of operation.

He called for the legislation of six years single term for every political office holder in the country either at the federal or state level.

He explained that the adoption of a six year-single term would help in minimizing re-election acrimonious and hasten power rotation among different ethnic groups.

Oni further advocated a legislation of a two-party system so as to help in mitigation of ethnicity and religious polarities in Nigerian politics.

He said, “I wish to conclude here that democracy can be government of the people by the people and for the people in Nigeria only if it promotes politics of inclusion, accommodation, equity, fairness in power distribution and sharing among the competing ethnic groups and geo-political zones in Nigeria.

“Our democracy should be where both the majority and minority rule interchangeably in turns.

“Majoritarian democracy as being practised presently, will promote politics of exclusiveness and domination by a section at the federal, state and local government level.

“Until Nigeria takes into cognisance its environmental peculiarities, our search for majoritarian democracy will continue to be the period to kill, maim, and make widows and widowers in Nigerian politics.”

March 9, 2020
Yekini Nabena hits back at Jonathan

***Deputy national publicity secretary of the APC, Yekini Nabena hits back at ex-President Jonathan over his remark that APC can’t win the imminent guber poll in Bayelsa

***Nabena portrayed Jonathan as ‘a push and start president’ who has always lost any election even in his home territory of Bayelsa

***The APC chieftain likewise cautioned Jonathan against unguarded proclamation that can undermine his notoriety

By Jennifer Y Omiloli

Yekini Nabena, the deputy national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has purportedly asked previous president Goodluck Jonathan to be careful with owning indiscreet expressions that are equipped for undermining his open picture.

Nabena said in a meeting with newsmen that the announcement credited to the previous president in regards to the limit of the APC in Bayelsa state was uncalled for.

The APC deputy national publicity secretary portrayed Jonathan as ‘a push and start president’ who has always lost any election even in his home territory of Bayelsa.

Nabena said Jonathan has never challenged any election and won, including that of 2015 as a sitting president he lost woefully.

The APC chieftain likewise reviewed that APC crushed Jonathan’s applicant in his senatorial poll in the ongoing 2019 senatorial election in Bayelsa state.

Nabena was responding to Jonathan’s explanation that APC in Bayelsa state comes up short on the political nearness to win the November 16 election.

The previous president said that the PDP has everything necessary to rise with a resonating and conclusive triumph similarly as he hailed the endeavors of Governor Seriake Dickson, the state executive of the PDP, Moses Cleopas, partners and all the 21 competitors for doing their most extreme to guarantee the solidarity and security of the party.

August 8, 2019