The jostling for 2023 presidential election took a new dimension yesterday, as youth groups demanded for the return of former President Goodluck Jonathan to office on May 29, 2023.
It came on the heel of an alleged move by some governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to lure the former leader into the 2023 presidential race.
The youths groups; Patriotic Youths For Good Governance, led by Adamu Adamu Matazu, Initiative For Northern Youth For Good Governance led Rabui Abubakar Baba, and the Niger Delta Youth Coalition ( NDYC) led by Prince Emmanuel Ogba who are championing the course, noted that among those so far indicating interest 2023 Presidency, Jonathan is more acceptable to Nigerians irrespective of tribal equation.
NDYC National Coordinator, Prince Emmanuel Ogba said his group and other youth groups across the nation are mobilising for ex- President Jonathan because of several important reason, above all is the issue of one United Nigeria.
According to the NDYC boss, ” we are begging Jonathan to run and we assure him of our maximum support.
“It will be fair to allow Jonathan complete a second term of eight years like others , after which the power can conveniently go back to the north in 2027.
“Jonathan has proved beyond reasonable doubt that he can not sacrifice the unity of the country on the altar of sentiment as he demonstrated during the election that brought in President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
“While he was the sitting President, records showed that he was fair in his appointments, contracts, and distribution of projects . It was even seen that he concentrated in the development of the north and other parts of the country at the detriment of his area, which is a rare attribute among past leaders.
“He has the confidence of different parts of the country that he will give the country a better leadership following his experience and other antecedents.
“We therefore began to consult youths from across the nation to plead with Former President Jonathan to run for the 2023 Presidency and reactions we are getting from both Nigerians and non Nigerians is encouraging”, he stated.
Ogba appealed to other Nigerians to join forces with youths to prevail on Jonathan to run.
“He may on his own wish to stay away from active politics but we beg him to run “, he said , stressing that Nigeria youths will back any political party that gives him its Presidential ticket.
Ogba urged political parties to zone 2023 Presidency to the South South geopolitical zone to enable the zone complete it’s eight years second term like other zones.
