Northern group warns Jonathan not to contest 2023 presidency

Sensing that former President Goodluck Jonathan could beat hands down any candidate presented by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023 due to the abysmal failure of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) had advised Goodluck Jonathan not to contest in 2023.

The group also vowed to mobilise against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) if the party goes against zoning its presidential ticket to the Southwest in 2023.

A statement signed by the NYLF’s national chairman, Elliot Afiso, counselled the former president to resist the temptation of those trying to lure him back into the contest in 2023, vowing that the North would never vote for him no matter the indices.

Daily Correspondents findings ahead of the 2023 polls shows that former President Goodluck  Jonathan will get the overwhelming support of Nigerians including the North should he contest the presidential election in view of the abysmal performance of the APC-led government of President Muhammadu Buhari that has made life difficult for ordinary Nigerians and unable to tame insecurity in the land.

Our findings also show that Goodluck Jonathan remains the only man that can beat any candidate presented by the ruling APC in 2023, a situation that some APC governors and powerful cabals in Aso Rock are not comfortable with.

The NYLF statement reads, “We’re informed that a gentleman agreement exists within the APC. Therefore, we advised that the party (APC), should produce its presidential flag-bearer from the Southwest.”

While acknowledging that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) lost its zoning arrangement in 2011, NYLF believed that the Northeast region deserves to produce the party’s presidential candidate in 2023.

“We want to state clearly that the power rotation in the PDP was dead and buried in 2011 and as such, the PDP is advised to pick its presidential candidate from the north-east if at all, the party intends to make headway and bounce to power in 2023.

“On the rumoured intention and interests by the former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, we want to sincerely and categorically state that he should not accept any invitation to contest under any party because the north as it is now, would never vote for him no matter the indices.

“In the same vein, we want to advise our elders and elites from the north-west to shelve or discontinue any interest in the presidency or vice presidency come 2023 for the interest and unity of the northern region.

“The NYLF which has overwhelming membership and support from north-west has resolved not to support or vote for any party that presents her candidate from the north-west for the presidency or vice presidency.”