Our Reporter, Abuja
Leader of Afenifere, a Yoruba socio-cultural group, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, has described former President Goodluck Jonathan’s contemplation to run for the 2023 presidential election as disgraceful and shameful.
Adebanjo stated this on Monday at a conference organized by a think-tank of South-East leaders and friends of the South-East from across the federation under the aegis of Greater Nigeria Conference (GNC).
The Yoruba leader, who who spoke loudly that the South-East should be considered for the Presidency next year said, “it is disgraceful for former President Jonathan to say he is even considering running for the presidency again.
“Let him go and rest. It is the turn of Igbos to produce the next president of Nigeria.
“If the presidency is based on merit today, Igbos alone will continue to rule Nigeria,” Chief Adebanjo asserted.
However, last week, a group had stormed the office of the former President in Abuja and called on him to contest the 2023 Presidential election.
The Convener of the group, Youth Compatriots of Nigeria, (YCON), Mayor Samuel, while addressing the media said, the group do not care what platform Jonathan chooses to run, provided he fulfils the yearning of the people.
He insisted that Jonathan should run on the platform of the Nigeria Peoples Party, saying that any political party that gives Jonathan its ticket is Pro-Nigerian people.
“We are calling on the man who has the feeling of the people at heart, the man Goodluck to answer the call of the people and come and take the mantle of leadership come 2023.
“All we need is a Nigerian that will not discriminate.”
However, responding to them, Jonathan said he was going to consider their request.
He said: “Yes, you are calling me to come and declare for the next election. I cannot tell you I’m declaring. The political process is ongoing. Just watch out.
“But the key role you must play is that you must pray that Nigeria gets somebody that will carry the young people along, somebody that can also work very hard to see that some of the problems you raised are dealt with by the government. And I believe collectively we will work together; I thank all of you.”
Recall that Jonathan was President for five years under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He served out the last year of the Yar’Adua administration after the then president died in office on May 5, 2010. Jonathan contested and won the 2011 presidential election and was in office until May 2015 after losing to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 presidential election.
Jonathan, who is a member of the PDP, did not obtain the expression of interest and nomination forms for the presidential ticket of the party, but there are speculations that the ruling APC is wooing him to become its presidential candidate for the election next year.
