Politics
Group asks Buhari to adopt Jonathan as consensus APC candidate
A group under the aegis of Save Nigeria Buhari Ambassadors, (SNBA) have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to adopt Former President Goodluck Jonathan as the consensus candidate of the Ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 presidential election.
Addressing a Press Conference on Wednesday at the NUJ press Center in Abuja the National Co-ordinator of the group, Honourable Jazeel Jamil Ibrahim said,
“As a group loyal to Mr President , whose goal is to scout, support and promote credible, competent, intelligent and visionary leaders with the capacity to reform, rebrand and transform the political landscape of Nigeria we wish to draw his attention to Dr. Jonathan.
“He should single him out from the hustling crowd of Aspirants canvassing for the office of the President of Nigeria, as a candidate to fly the flag of the APC in 2023 presidential election.”
Ibrahim expressed the believe that Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has established himself as a true Democrat, a peace ambassador and a Patriotic Nigerian whose stance for the unification and cementing of the already fragmented pieces called Nigeria as one indivisible Nation.
“As you all know, Dr. Jonathan is one who has the interest of Nigerians at heart, as exemplified in 2015 when he shelved his personal ambition to avert a looming crisis, declaring that his ambition was “not worth the blood of any Nigerian.”
“Former President Goodluck Jonathan has high level of integrity and credibility, He is a sound academician, with a well cooked egg head, to revamp and revive any economy.
“We hereby appeal to Mr. President and the leadership of All Progressives Congress ( APC), to field him as the Consensus presidential flag bearer in the 2023 forth coming election.
“We strongly believe that the Otuoke born Politician has a strong reputation as an elder Statesman, a tested and proven patriot, a reliable and trusted nationalist, who is committed to the development and advancement of NIGERIA and Africa at large.
He described former president Jonathan, as a celebrated hero of infrastructural and economic revivalist whose transformational Agenda birthed the implementation of projects and policies geared at promoting and stimulating development across different phases and stratas of the economy.
“Jonathan is a leader per excellence, who has the technical expertise to marshal out smart, highly educated and intelligent technocrats that understudied and transformed Nigerian economy.
“Under his watch, Nigeria experienced unprecedented economic growth and became the largest economy in Africa.
“As the then President of the most populous black nations in the world, Jonathan promoted democratic values and principles, peace and national security, which enlisted him as the most sort after black leader, in the continents of Africa.
“Dr. Jonathan made major contributions to the political, economic and social development of Nigeria through his Transformation Agenda.
“Jonathan is a secured leader, who tenaciously and systematically drives with passion his overwhelming commitment to changing the global negative perceptions of the Nigerian elections by reforming the electoral process and establishing a culture of non-violent, free, fair, and credible elections.
“As the Nigeria’s most celebrated politician, Jonathan has promoted democratic ideals through the observance of the rule of law, enactment of the Freedom of Information Act, electoral reforms and non-interference in electoral outcomes, while he was the President of this nation.
The coordinator said the former President, is richly endowed with grace and intellectual prowess, in his reign as the then President of Nigeria, when he successfully galvanized and pursued with vigor his economic recovery programme (the Transformation Agenda) through which he expanded the economy and increased agricultural and industrial production as well as supported and elevated the creative industry sector.
“As a versatile politician, Jonathan promoted social advancement through gender inclusion and equity and expanded access to education through the establishment and expansion of specialize tertiary institutions.
“President Jonathan and his political lieutenants smartly grew the economy to be the largest in Africa with a GDP of of almost a trillion dollars. He has a matchless records of results that stands him out among other political bigwigs.
In the quest to highlight his pedigree and notable achievements to many doubting Thomases, former “President Jonathan, was in league with other notable Heads of States in the ECOWAS to resolve the political crisis and stabilize democracies in the sub-region of Africa especially in countries like Cote d’Ivoire, Niger, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso and Togo.”
According to him, as a peace ambassador in Africa, Dr. Jonathan has shown an avalanche of commitment and passion towards bringing peace and stability to Africa. “Within his five-year tenure Nigeria got more recognition in the United Nations Security Council. Nigeria was nominated twice, a feat very rarely achieved by non-permanent members of the UN Security Council.
“Dr. Jonathan, because of his high political pedigree, not only in Nigeria, but in the entire coast of Africa, he was also revered and given the highest national honour by several African Presidents of their countries equivalent to the GCFR in Nigeria for his commitment to stabilizing democracy in the ECOWAS.
“Jonathan, since leaving office in 2015, has remained totally committed, dedicated and devoted to promoting democracy, credible elections, peace and respect for the rule of law in Africa.
“He is notably, the Chairman of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, an organization he founded to promote best practices in democracy, peace and prosperity in Africa.
“In his quest for overwhelming development, peace and tranquility in the entire African continent, Jonathan has led different International Election Observer Missions to various nations including Tanzania (Commonwealth-2015), Zambia (African Union-2016), Liberia (National Democratic Institute-2017), Sierra Leone (Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa, EISA-2018), South Africa (EISA-2019) and Mozambique (African Union-2019).
“Jonathan has raised the stakes of leadership and governance in Africa so high that it is very difficult to get a possible replacement for him. In 2019, he emerged Chairperson of the African Chapter of the International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP), an association of serving and former Presidents who are jointly working to bring peace, stability and economic prosperity to the world.
“In May 2020, he was appointed as a Member of the Kofi Annan Foundation Electoral Integrity Initiative Senior Panel.
“Given his position as the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the great roles and contributions his administration offered to the maintenance of peace, security and stability in ECOWAS region, in July 2020, he was appointed as the ECOWAS Special Envoy to Mali with the mandate of restoring peace and democracy in the country.”
The Labour Party has dismissed allegations of a partnership with President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
The accusations were made by lawyer Deji Adeyanju, who claimed that the party’s leadership, including its National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, is collaborating with the ruling party.
In a statement issued by the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party described Adeyanju’s remarks as defamatory, baseless, and harmful to its reputation.
The party affirmed its commitment to its role as the leading opposition, citing its continuous critique of government policies and its push for reforms in Nigeria’s political system.
“The Labour Party has remained visible and vocal in interrogating system failures and proposing solutions. Our National Chairman, Barrister Abure, has been at the forefront of this effort,” the statement read.
The Labour Party highlighted key initiatives, including the formation of an Electoral Reform Committee to advocate for transparent elections and the introduction of e-membership registration to promote participatory democracy.
The party called on Adeyanju to provide evidence to substantiate his claims or withdraw his statement and issue a public apology.
It also warned against actions that could harm the party’s reputation and undermine its efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
Senate minority Leader and key member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus, Senator Abba Moro, has reiterated the party’s commitment to restructuring and regaining its electoral strength.
Speaking after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Assembly caucus meeting on Wednesday, Moro addressed concerns about the party’s recent setbacks and ongoing efforts to prepare for future electoral challenges.
Moro emphasized that the PDP remains resilient despite recent losses, including gubernatorial elections, and is strategizing to strengthen the party.
“We discussed the affairs of the party, particularly as we approach a critical meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC)to take vital decisions on the state of the PDP,” Moro said.
“We are intensifying efforts to ensure the party grows stronger and prepares for subsequent elections without distractions.”
Addressing allegations of vote buying in recent elections, Moro expressed concern over the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Everyone is worried about Nigeria’s democracy,” he said. “INEC has faced criticism, but every failure is a lesson. We must ensure that mandates stolen from the people, like in Edo State, are restored. Failure should become a mechanism for future success.”
Responding to criticisms of PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, Moro dismissed claims that his leadership has been detrimental to the party.
“The PDP is not just about one individual,” he stated. “Damagun is the acting chairman, but PDP is about all its members. We are working round the clock to return the PDP to its winning ways.”
He also downplayed the influence of PDP members like FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who has been associated with the APC.
Moro likened such political dynamics to bipartisan endorsements seen in the United States, emphasizing that PDP remains focused on rebuilding.
“Anyone working against the PDP today will have to contend with the resilience of PDP members,” he warned.
Highlighting the party’s long-standing reputation, Moro described the PDP as a resilient brand that has always bounced back from challenges.
“PDP is a brand,” he declared. “Despite temporary setbacks, we will bounce back. Once our electoral laws are strengthened, future election results will not be the same.”
When asked who should be blamed for the party’s challenges, Moro refrained from finger-pointing, stating:
“The most important thing is that something is not right. We are working to fix it, and we will get it right.”
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from the PDP Senate caucus to revitalize the party and ensure better outcomes in upcoming elections.
***Describes Process as “Victimless Crime” in Scathing Critique
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has issued a critical assessment of the recent Ondo State Governorship Election, labeling it an “Ondo Auction.”
Adebayo argued that the election was less about genuine democracy and more about transactional politics, with “willing buyers” and “willing sellers” dominating the process.
Taking to his X account, Adebayo suggested that the Ondo election could serve as a case study for the Central Bank’s foreign exchange practices, given the efficient “marketplace” nature of the vote.
He lamented what he saw as a lack of authentic voter engagement, claiming that ballots appeared to be traded as commodities rather than cast with genuine intent.
Adebayo extended his criticism to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, and major media outlets, whom he accused of watching passively as the alleged auction unfolded.
Offering sarcastic congratulations to those who “purchased” the victory, he sympathized with voters, whom he felt had unknowingly relinquished their democratic power in a flawed process.
Quoting a biblical phrase, “Father Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do,” Adebayo expressed sadness over the state of democracy in Ondo and called for divine intervention to steer Nigeria towards a more transparent electoral future.
In his post, Adebayo remarked: “The Ondo State Governorship Election of yesterday is what criminologists would term as victim-less crimes: a spectacle of willing buyers @OfficialAPCNg meeting willing sellers in a perfect market that should be an example for @cenbank in the foreign exchange markets. Ondo Auction is smoother than the Dutch Auction. Four years sold so freely and openly that no one should lie that they were coerced or intimidated or browbeaten. And @PoliceNG and @inecnigeria @AIT_Online @ARISEtv @KAFTAN_TV @channelstv @NTANewsNow all witnessed it live.
“No one should pretend that they need someone to interview over this. It is in order to congratulate the buyers on their purchased ‘victory’ while shedding some tears for the sellers with the Calvary elegy that ‘Father Forgive Them For They Knoweth Not What They Do.’ God Bless Nigeria and may God Guide Ondo State.”
Adebayo’s post has since sparked conversation across the country, with calls for reform and a stronger commitment to electoral integrity in Nigeria.
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