As the battle for the 2023 presidential ticket thickens, some Nigerians have expressed divergent opinions on the alleged planned defection of former President, Goodluck Jonathan, from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

DAILY POST reports that there have been speculations that the ex-president may dump the opposition party for the APC in a bid to emerge as the platform’s flag bearer in the 2023 presidential poll to complete his second term, which he lost to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

The defection rumour was fueled by Goodluck’s constant visit to the State House to meet with President Buhari as some APC governors are said to be wooing the former President to join the party.

Recall that Jonathan, on October 6, met behind closed-doors with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The agenda of the meeting was not made known to journalists.

Similarly, Jonathan, who is ECOWAS’ Special Envoy to the Republic of Mali on efforts by West African leaders to restore stability to the country, was at the Villa on December 30 and January 6, to discuss issues with the President.

Meanwhile, Jonathan’s former aide, Reno Omokri, had severally debunked the rumour, saying “God forbid” that his ex-boss would join the ruling party which he believes is more corrupt than any other platform.

Some respondents, who spoke to DAILY POST on Tuesday, expressed mixed reactions as many argued that the return of the ex-president would deny the southern part of the country the opportunity to produce a President for the next two tenures.

However, others opined that there would be no better candidate than the former President, saying Nigerians have realized their mistake and are ready to correct it.

A member of the APC, Fredric Ahmed, told our correspondent in Abuja that the party only needed a salable candidate, stressing that Nigerians want Goodluck back.

He said, “I think all that APC wants is a candidate that can give them victory in the 2023 general elections. So, if Goodluck joins the party, why not? Nigerians said they made a mistake in 2015, so let them correct the mistake. I personally don’t have issues with that.

“Having lost the battle in 2015, the former President has all the legal rights to run for the position. The Nigerian constitution allows for two tenures and he has only done one, he has the right to contest again.”

Meanwhile, a chieftain of the opposition party, PDP in Benue State, Mr. Alexander Ikyur, told DAILY POST that he is sure that Jonathan is nursing “no such ambition”.

According to him, “The northerners want him back so that they will return to power after 2023. This is not going to happen. We are wiser now, whatever the plan is, I assure you that Buhari and his northern cabals will be disgraced.

“GEJ is not a bad candidate, but with what we have on ground, he is not the right person from the South. We have other competent politicians who can stay for two terms.”

Another respondent, Mr. Micheal, a registered member of the PDP, said it was time for the South-east to produce a Nigerian president, alleging that the northerners were using Jonathan to block the region.
“They know very well that if the presidency doesn’t go to the South-east in 2023, there may be problems, that is why they are now wooing Goodluck Jonathan because they know that Igbos love him.

“We are not ignorant of their strategies, but they have failed already, whoever comes from the South-east will definitely get my support”, he added.

An-On-Air Personality, Micheal Adache said, “Goodluck should just maintain his respect and stay away from the presidential race, otherwise, he will lose his reputation.

“GEJ is respected all over Africa since he accepted defeat in 2015, so, I don’t see any reason for him to go so low to be nursing such ambition. He should just respect himself.”

Meanwhile, the presidential campaign posters of Jonathan were spotted in some areas of the Federal Capital Territory, last week.

DAILY POST reports that while the former president has remained mute on the speculation, other political topshots in the APC like a National Leader of the party, Bola Tinubu and the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, have declared their intentions to run for presidency.

Source: https://dailypost.ng/2022/01/12/2023-nigerians-divided-over-jonathans-rumoured-presidential-ambition/

we have seen Jonathan 6years,alots of corruptions and insecurity. little capital developments, though compare to Buhari he is better.. but we need someone better,someone not from the family and friends cycle

Stupidity personified





Life sentence for all scammers . . . Including paternity fraudsters!

No division. Nigerians are united in telling him to respect himself and not lose the small honour he has left. APC called him clueless in 2015, why are they lobbying him now?

I will be disappointed in Jonathan if he really takes up this call.
Even a lot of foreign bodies will be disappointed.

Imagine..

All this politicians are thieves abeg.

Ok

Pathetic

Nigeria matter tire me.

Them wan use this man head again. Kai Naso Tinubu go deceive deceive become president?

Wetin Osinbajo do whey dem dey shade am off?

Why is this man deceiving himself?

Bola Tinubu, Goodluck Jonathan and a North East politician will be voted for in APC primaries.
That Secret Buhari choice that he claimed will be eliminated will win APC presidential tickets.

It is only that his secret choice that will destory PDP Atiku any of Tinubu or Jonathan will make APC lose that election.
This is because Tinubu win that primary south south will work for PDP and if Jonathan wins Tinubu might work against APC.
But if his secret candidate win and from Atiku zone PDP will not have a fight.

Jonathan is better than Buhari...but can't we get a better candidate??

Right now anything is better than Buhari

OSHIOMOLE for President..

Oshio 2023..

If Tinubu and Osinbajo who are part and parcel of this suffer suffer government can be on the ballot.... OSHIOMOLE twice on Wednesday .... ...

Many of you insulted Mai gidas fir voting Buhari out of nepotism, but many of you will still do same... Stupid Nigerians.

Many Nigerians might never know what good governance looks like till they die. Its not a curse, its reality.

Let's continue playing tribal politics!!!

one of his fundamental rights I believe, if remain a thing of choice for the electorate no point arguing this issue.

It’s his right if he chooses to contest .. anything is better than the old tinubu and worthless Bello.
Even though I’d prefer osibanjo rules.

This man should just rest...he is not d person we need now

Jonathan should contest. Southsouth want to battle it out with Southwest in APC while we do another one in PDP. Was it not Tinubu that aligned with the North to unseat Jonathan? Jonathan has decided to join him in the APC for the ticket so he shouldn't be scared.

The southwest should not behave towards Jonathan the way Igbos are behaving towards the ambition of Tinubu.

Tinubu is qualified to contest, and also Jonathan. Don't bring that excuse that Jonathan one tenure is a disaster for South. Oh! Working against him in 2015 was not a disaster for the South? You lie. The last time I checked, Southsouth is from the south. It is a game, so let us play it.

The Southsouth is ready for the game.
We are silent with our moves in every corner.
We are about to tell the southwest what sophistication is.
Silence is golden.

Post posting rumor....osibanjo,zulum,elrufai,fashola,amachi never see ticket,na dis otuake man dem go give ticket!

The northerners want the south to do only one term

Make the Man go rest.
But e go funny me if APC field GEJ, I wonder How them go market am because according to them, then say na Gej be our problem,

Hisbah21:
we have seen Jonathan 6years,alots of corruptions and insecurity. little capital developments, though compare to Buhari he is better.. but we need someone better,someone not from the family and friends cycle

I agree with you absolutely

In all fairness, if Nigeria is truly a country that want to practice inclusiveness in governance and want to carry all the regions along, then Igbos should be allowed to produce the next president

I don't see anything wrong with Igbos being the Nigerian president

Goodluck isn't a tough dude and can easily be manipulated by sentiments

Nigeria needs to elect a president of Igbo extraction to lead this country or instead let them have their own country if they are not needed anymore in Nigeria

Nice strategy

the north cant even wait 8yrs
so the idea is to pitch him
he stays 4yrs
and goes
and returns power to the north
cos he cant do 8yrs by what the constitution says

smart move by the north to undo whatever the south plans to do in 4yrs

Pride goes before a fall

Those whose palm kernel was cracked for them by the benevolent spirit should not forget to humble.

Lightening does not strike the same spot twice

He was a misfortune, a disaster and never again