Former president, Goodluck Jonathan has stated that only a man with the strength of character and clear conscience like Senator David Mark is needed to rebuild a fragmented and disunited Nigeria in 2019.

Playing host to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential hopeful in his Yenogoa home, Jonathan said Nigeria has never been so disunited than now, saying “we are only existing superficially and this is very dangerous.”

Beside the issue of dwindling economy and worsening insecurity, the former president stated that the major problem the next President would face is the challenge of uniting the country and giving every section a sense of belonging.


Jonathan stressed that every right-thinking Nigerian should crave for peace and unity “if we must continue to stay together”. He said staying together is what everyone desires “because the global community respects and value us because of our size and population.”

He recalled: “As President of Nigeria, I worked harmoniously with Mark as President of the Senate. He demonstrated patriotism and loyalty to his fatherland. His colleagues admitted that he is a detribalized leader. He is the kind of man the nation needs now.”

Jonathan expressed optimism that the PDP would get it right in the 2019 election.


The PDP presidential contender, Mark, in his remark, stated that Nigerians now know the difference between light and darkness, saying that he possesses the experience, knowledge and skills to bring the nation out of the social and economic malaise within two years if elected.

Earlier, Director-General of the David Mark Campaign Organization, Senator Zainab Kure, paid glowing tribute to Jonathan for his uncommon leadership quality and sacrifices made to keep the nation united.

Senator Kure pointed out that Nigerians would forever be grateful to the immediate past president.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/2019-david-mark-can-unite-nigeria.html

Abro David Mark. Jonathan made the job harder for you. He should not have relinquished power to that old malu. By now na hand over you for dae do to carry on. But all hope is not lost. The Abacha wonder might come to play. So don't lose hope. You are fit and eligible.

Coming too late GEJ, u should have honoured your one term promise and handed over to David Mark and a Yoruba Muslim.

We would not have suffered Buhari. We could have dodge the bullet.

As it stands now, yes David Mark is a contender but the contest is fierce and we will not be putting all our egg in one basket this time around.

I don't really understand David Mark's presidential ambition. If given the ticket for instance, as a Christian Northerner, who would be his running mate? The only practical direction would be to choose the dreaded 'Yoruba Muslim', which is automatically a Big NO NO.

With the delicate ethno-religious balancing requirements underpinning Nigeria's current political configuration, it is safe to say that a Northern Christian would never be the president of this country.

He can, yes.
But stand no real chance now.

Omeokachie:
He can, yes.
But stand no real chance now.

David Mark can win the Northern Christian votes and with a Yoruba muslim Vice, he can break Buhari base in the SW.

Christian yorubas will not be voting GMB next year, so potentially, David Mark can have the SW in his bag.

Wrong move, wrong timing, wrong everything

Jonathan should go and sit down, he was poor and APC capitalise on his poor performance.

hammer6F:


David Mark can win the Northern Christian votes and with a Yoruba muslim Vice, he can break Buhari base in the SW.

Christian yorubas will not be voting GMB next year, so potentially, David Mark can have the SW in his bag.

You really think so?
I tend to look at these things from where the real numbers are (real or imagined).
With all the numbers coming out from successive elections, it is safe to say the real numbers are in the core north (NW & NE). Also these areas are predominantly populated by Muslims. When the religious card is played, David Mark will stand no chance really. You therefore need a Northern Muslim to split the vote in that region.
The SW votes can be shared by fielding somebody from that region as VP, if you have a good candidate.
The SE/SS will naturally go the way of the PDP as what they need most is inclusiveness and freedom to explore their potentials in a free market.
North Central where Mark is from is not too different from the SS/SE regions. A promise of Senate presidency or speaker would get them to support such effort in addition to good ministerial positions.

I think Mark stand no real chance in this one, just like Saraki would have it tough as the core north would see him as a southerner (irrespective of his religion), while the SW will not fully accept him as one of their own.
The real contest is between Atiku and Kwankwaso. Tambuwal still have a few miles to go before coming up to that league.

Omeokachie:



You really think so?
I tend to look at these things from where the real numbers are (real or imagined).
With all the numbers coming out from successive elections, it is safe to say the real numbers are in the core north (NW & NE). Also these areas are predominantly populated by Muslims. When the religious card is played, David Mark will stand no chance really. You therefore need a Northern Muslim to split the vote in that region.
The SW votes can be shared by fielding somebody from that region as VP, if you have a good candidate.
The SE/SS will naturally go the way of the PDP as what they need most is inclusiveness and freedom to explore their potentials in a free market.
North Central where Mark is from is not too different from the SS/SE regions. A promise of Senate presidency or speaker would get them to support such effort in addition to good ministerial positions.

I think Mark stand no real chance in this one, just like Saraki would have it tough as the core north would see him as a southerner (irrespective of his religion), while the SW will not fully accept him as one of their own.
The real contest is between Atiku and Kwankwaso. Tambuwal still have a few miles to go before coming up to that league.

Ur analysis missed the middle belt.

Nobody can defeat Buhari in the Core North. (A sitting Northern President)

Hence the battle ground is the SW,SE,SS, North Central.

The power brokers as it stands in the SW are Yoruba muslim.

The only PDP candidate that can produce a Yoruba muslim Vice is David Mark.

A Yoruba Christian Vice will see PDP losing both SS/SE and possibly North central.

There has to be something different that will distinguish PDP from APC.

I stand with Saraki! Only him can defeat Buhari.

David Mark is not running for President

In due course his agenda will become obvious

He is not a Presidential material and he knows it

hammer6F:



Ur analysis missed the middle belt.

Nobody can defeat Buhari in the Core North. (A sitting Northern President)

Hence the battle ground is the SW,SE,SS, North Central.

The power brokers as it stands in the SW are Yoruba muslim.

The only PDP candidate that can produce a Yoruba muslim Vice is David Mark.

A Yoruba Christian Vice will see PDP losing both SS/SE and possibly North central.

There has to be something different that will distinguish PDP from APC.

I meant 'Middle Belt' when I said " North Central where David Mark comes from". Ofcause he is from Benue in the middle belt.
Now to your analysis. You do have a point, but would that translate to required number that can ensure victory? I think not.
If you look at number of registered voters, the bulk is from the NW/NE. So if you don't have a strong candidate that can split up votes there, then you would have the 'GEJ' situation where Kano alone delivered almost 2m votes. The core northern base has to be shaken to dislodge Buhari, and only someone from that region will garner voters sentiments.
With Buhari strong up north, and SW given the VP position, then it become a tough game.
Therefore, what you need is to shake both regions by matching them in both regions.
A core northern Muslim, and a SW VP will even the ground, knowing that the SS/SE won't go Buhari's way.
The Middle belt will also not go his way following his kids glove handling of the herdsmen issue and excuses for the killers. Therefore, their real base is actually the core North and SW. Split votes in these areas and you have them by their balls.

Omeokachie:



I meant 'Middle Belt' when I said " North Central where David Mark comes from". Ofcause he is from Benue in the middle belt.
Now to your analysis. You do have a point, but would that translate to required number that can ensure victory? I think not.
If you look at number of registered voters, the bulk is from the NW/NE. So if you don't have a strong candidate that can split up votes there, then you would have the 'GEJ' situation where Kano alone delivered almost 2m votes. The core northern base has to be shaken to dislodge Buhari, and only someone from that region will garner voters sentiments.
With Buhari strong up north, and SW given the VP position, then it become a tough game.
Therefore, what you need is to shake both regions by matching them in both regions.
A core northern Muslim, and a SW VP will even the ground, knowing that the SS/SE won't go Buhari's way.
The Middle belt will also not go his way following his kids glove handling of the herdsmen issue and excuses for the killers. Therefore, their real base is actually the core North and SW. Split votes in these areas and you have them by their balls.

Did GEJ win Kano the first time round to win the Presidency? No!

We have massive points down south that can deliver just as much vote if not more.

GEJ lost becos he could not clinch Lagos and the SW.

Had GEJ won the SW and in particular Lagos, he would have narrowly won.

Mind u he did not win the middle-belt or north either.

hammer6F:


Did GEJ win Kano the first time round to win the Presidency? No!

We have massive points down south that can deliver just as much vote if not more.

GEJ lost becos he could not clinch Lagos and the SW.

Had GEJ won the SW and in particular Lagos, he would have narrowly won.

Mind u he did not win the middle-belt or north either.

Good debate so far.
GEJ stood no chance in the last election. He lost the support of big influencers up north, therefore his performance in that election was actually a miracle.
Losing the support of Kwankwaso meant Kano was gone. Tambuwal and Wamakko meant Sokoto gone. Loss of Atiku meant Adamawa gone. Sure Lamido and Babangida Aliyu were still angry about not adherence to a supposed agreement to run for only one term and therefore did not push...Niger and Jigawa gone. The performance of Suswan was so bad that they lost Benue. Idris Wada was also not a grassroots politician so he lost Kogi. So you see, GEJ stood no chance, especially with the treachery of Tinubu who connived to deny the SW the speakership and later turned around to cry marginalization. With 'APC handing the VP slot to the SW, votes naturally went that way.

It will be different this time around. Buhari has lost the SE/SS with his lopsided appointments and handling of IPOB. He has also lost the middle belt with the killings in that region.
His only hold is in the core North and SW. Therefore, those are the areas to battle him for votes. You need to take the fight to him otherwise PDP will be a sitting duck if hoping the best strategy is to defend areas that Buhari will find difficult to sway to his side. A better strategy is to try to dislodge his hold from his area of comfort which is exactly what he would be planning on doing in the South.

Omeokachie:



Good debate so far.
GEJ stood no chance in the last election. He lost the support of big influencers up north, therefore his performance in that election was actually a miracle.
Losing the support of Kwankwaso meant Kano was gone. Tambuwal and Wamakko meant Sokoto gone. Loss of Atiku meant Adamawa gone. Sure Lamido and Babangida Aliyu were still angry about not adherence to a supposed agreement to run for only one term and therefore did not push...Niger and Jigawa gone. The performance of Suswan was so bad that they lost Benue. Idris Wada was also not a grassroots politician so he lost Kogi. So you see, GEJ stood no chance, especially with the treachery of Tinubu who connived to deny the SW the speakership and later turned around to cry marginalization. With 'APC handing the VP slot to the SW, votes naturally went that way.

It will be different this time around. Buhari has lost the SE/SS with his lopsided appointments and handling of IPOB. He has also lost the middle belt with the killings in that region.
His only hold is in the core North and SW. Therefore, those are the areas to battle him for votes. You need to take the fight to him otherwise PDP will be a sitting duck if hoping the best strategy is to defend areas that Buhari will find difficult to sway to his side. A better strategy is to try to dislodge his hold from his area of comfort which is exactly what he would be planning on doing in the South.

GEJ got power drunk but not drunk enough to act crazy.

This is the problem. If a person is going to get power drunk, then it has to be drunk enough to act crazy.

That is why he lost.

hammer6F:


GEJ got power drunk but not drunk enough to act crazy.

This is the problem. If a person is going to get power drunk, then it has to be drunk enough to act crazy.

That is why he lost.

He was a gentleman unlike the so-called "reformed democrat" that has eroded all the gains we have made in our electioneering process since 1999.
Now police, DSS, army, EFCC, and Customs are all now interested parties in the election process and are overreaching themselves just to please the president and his party.

Omeokachie:



He was a gentleman unlike the so-called "reformed democrat" that has eroded all the gains we have made in our electioneering process since 1999.
Now police, DSS, army, EFCC, and Customs are all now interested parties in the election process and are overreaching themselves just to please the president and his party.

Exactly, this is y many people are decamping to APC becos they percieve Buahri as a great threat in 2019.

Buhari is power drunk and crazy enough to turn all those agency into political thugs, used to intimidate opposition.

Useless Mark go and show us your constituency project make we see or return the funds. Look, we are not stupid like your people that keeps voting you in all the time no disrespect to your people.

hammer6F:


Exactly, this is y many people are decamping to APC becos they percieve Buahri as a great threat in 2019.

Buhari is power drunk and crazy enough to turn all those agency into political thugs, used to intimidate opposition.

Remember we were debating this yesterday...
What happened in Osun has buttressed my point on what PDP needs to do in 2019. Simply to take the battle to their stronghold (core north and SW). That is the only way to dislodge the incompetent tyrant and his treasury looting appointees.