Abuja — Former President Goodluck Jonathan is planning a return to the presidency using the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the platform to actualise his renewed presidential ambition, Vanguard gathered authoritatively yesterday.
A top official in Jonathan’s camp confirmed to Vanguard that the decision to use the PDP followed extensive deliberations over where his chances of returning to power were brighter, with the aim of providing quality leadership amid growing hardship and poverty in the country.
The development, however, has sparked mixed reactions from stakeholders across the polity. While some argued that the former president has the constitutional right to contest, others cautioned him against tarnishing his image in what they described as the country’s increasingly murky political landscape.
Among those who reacted yesterday were the Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere; the Middle Belt Forum (MBF); the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF); the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN); founder of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Chekwas Okorie; and former Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo, Akin Osuntokun.
The confirmation that Jonathan intends to use the PDP as his platform for a possible return to power has also triggered a scramble among groups believed to be pushing for his candidacy, with several reportedly competing to purchase the party’s N100 million nomination form for him.
The top official disclosed that the groups seeking to obtain the form were aware that the deadline for submission ends tomorrow and were determined to secure it on Jonathan’s behalf.
According to the source, one of the groups, identified as the Goodluckian Movement and made up of Nigerians in the diaspora, is claiming the right to purchase the form for the former president. The group reportedly argued that it is more representative of Nigerians globally than the northern groups also jostling to secure the form for him.
