Jonathan is not interested in 2019 presidential election - PDP group
- The South-South League of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said Goodluck Jonathan, former president of Nigeria, is not interested in the 2019 election
- The group warned those peddling rumour of Jonathan's alleged interest in 2019 to stop maligning his good image
- It also denied that the former president had hijacked the party in Bayelsa
Former President Goodluck Jonathan is not interested in contesting the 2019 election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-South League has revealed.
The concerned members of the PDP warned those peddling the report of Jonathan’s interest in 2019 to stop their attempt to ridicule the former president’s image.
The chairman of the group, Barrister Ariolu Tebidapa from Delta, and its secretary, Mr Akpan Ibibio from Akwa-Ibom, described the report as rumour in a statement issued in Abuja.
“It is obvious, that since after the supreme court judgement that laid to rest the leadership crisis that rocked the PDP, some persons within the party in the region, are still not settled due to the role they played, in spite of the fact that the party has granted amnesty to all those who worked against the interest of the party.
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“These persons see the former President, Goodluck Jonathan as a threat, hence their reactions in trying to attack his personality.
“We have read in the dailies about some persons insinuating that the former president, intends hijacking the party structure in Bayelsa state, in order to actualize his presidential ambition.
“This however, sounds laughable; we see it as an attempt to ridicule the former president,” the statement said adding that the Jonathan does not have such interest even though he is qualified.
The group noted that party had zoned its presidency to the northern part of Nigeria.
“So, we wonder what these fifth columnists really want to achieve by selling falsehood.
“It is also not true that the former president is attempting to hijack the party structure in Bayelsa state. We consider this story as an imagination from those who are being chased by their shadow.
“As the leader of the party, how can he (Jonathan) be interested in only one state, when the party is preparing for elective congresses and National convention?
“If at all former President Goodluck Jonathan is interested in anything, it should rather be who leads the party at the national level to push forward his vision for Nigeria.
“Consequently, we consider all these as attempts to distract the attention of the former president, at a time when he is busy working with other party leaders and focusing his attention on how to reposition our great party and Nigeria for the challenges ahead.
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“Former President Goodluck Jonathan has made the south-south region proud during his service as president, with his achievements of international reckoning and sacrifice to keep Nigeria United.
“We think he deserves every respect and regard.
“There is no amount of blackmail or insult by these detractors, no matter how hard they try, that can erase the achievements of former President Goodluck Jonathan,” the statement added.
Legit.ng earlier reported that Nigeria’s vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, recently reacted to an earlier story allegedly linking him to the 2019 presidential election by a faceless online group, Volunteers 4 Osinbajo.
Speaking through Laolu Akande, his spokesperson, Osinbajo urged Nigerians to disregard the campaign which was launched by the group.
Watch this video of former President Jonathan speaking about the future of PDP:
Source: Legit.ng
