The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in the South-South has been divided into two factions, primarily over the alleged desire of former President Goodluck Jonathan to run for presidency in 2027, with the parties involved have conflicting opinions on the matter.
Several political pressure groups rallied support for the former leader, despite the opinion of some party members that Jonathan shouldn’t run against President Bola Tinubu.
According to media reports, the former president’s aides said his principle was debating whether to run for office in 2027.
Bayelsa, Jonathan’s home state, is waiting Governor Douye Diri’s stance on the matter as the former president’s alleged desire has split Rivers State’s loyalists between suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who have opposing views.
The party’s Edo chapter described Jonathan as a breath of fresh air and is excited about the possibility of him appearing on the ballot.
Similarly, Delta State party leaders also vowed to back the lawmaker from Bayelsa, but the PDP in Akwa Ibom State is holding off on making an announcement till Jonathan makes a formal announcement.
The PDP publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, told newsmen in an interview that Jonathan is still regarded as one of the most qualified leaders in Nigeria’s history.
He said, “While Dr. Jonathan has not yet formally declared his intention to run, it is without doubt that he remains one of the most qualified leaders in our nation’s history.
“His tenure as President continues to stand as a reference point for good governance, national cohesion, and a better Nigeria.
“For us in the Edo PDP, his potential return to the saddle of leadership would come as a breath of fresh air for the country. As a party, we have always placed the collective interest of Nigerians above all else when making critical decisions.
“It would, therefore, be an honour and privilege for the Edo PDP to lead in rallying support for a government under the leadership of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, should he decide to run.”
The PDP unit in Bayelsa State remained undecided about Jonathan’s bid for presidency. George Turnah, the Caretaker Committee’s interim chairman, told The PUNCH in Yenagoa on Tuesday that Governor Diri is most suited to respond.
He clarified that as the current governor, Diri is the head of the Bayelsa State PDP and, as such, has the right to speak out on the issue.
Meanwhile, the Wike-aligned PDP party in Rivers State rejected demands for Jonathan to run, while the Fubara-aligned camp characterised it as a commendable step given Jonathan’s track record in government.
Yorwika stated, “First of all, Jonathan has not been an active member of the party. I don’t know whether in recent times anybody has seen him attending the activities of the party.
“So, the PDP in Rivers State, we have not even seen him in any of our activities recently. It is a far cry from the reality on the ground now. And then the PDP in Rivers State actually think that the President that we have now is doing all he can to make sure that there is an improvement in the livelihood of citizens of Nigeria.
“So, talking about the former President, he did his time and we actually believe he has done his time and his past. Talking about him and the PDP, he has not been in our activities. So, we have not seen him at all in any of our activities that we have been having recently.”
Nwuke, a former representative of Etche-Omuma Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and an ally of the suspended governor, claimed that the increasing clamour for Jonathan’s candidature among Nigerians and inside the PDP demonstrate the public’s faith in him.
He said that he has the skills necessary to give the kind of leadership the country needs right now and that his tenure in office has given some stability.
The party’s Akwa Ibom State chapter on the other hand stated that it would not support him until Jonathan formally announced his plan to run for president.
The party chairman Elder Aniekan Akpan, stressed that the former president has not informed anyone of such a decision, adding that it is only proper to wait before taking a stand.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
