interest and as such the right person to take over if power were to shift to the South, “he handed over power peacefully and nursed no bitterness against anyone and therefore will not be a threat to the interest of the north,” according to a top source in Buhari’s camp who didn’t want to be identified…
…..
The attraction to Jonathan’s possible candidacy is that he will serve just one term of four years.
According to multiple sources within the northern establishment spoken to by THISDAY, the idea of having Jonathan succeed Buhari is a very attractive preposition, “the former president is a good man, he did well in his first term and we believe he has learnt his lessons and where he failed and is unlikely to repeat those mistakes that cost him the presidency in 2015. He did alot for the North, so why not?” Another source privy to the development also told THISDAY last night “yes we are looking at the Jonathan option, he is a safe bet and of course a very amiable gentleman, who is not likely to rock the boat.”
Thus, within the northern establishment, the consensus is beginning to gain momentum, with Buhari’s loyalists pushing the button to have Jonathan succeed their boss.
THISDAY checks also showed a growing number of influential northern leaders of thought are favourably disposed to the idea of Jonathan’s second coming.
This is particularly because a majority of those, who have bought into this idea, were of the view that the former president represented the shortest route for the north to regain power…”
End of Quote.
I made a couple of calls this morning to ascertain if this news is true.
I was surprised. It is. The idea has been mooted to Former President GEJ by the Buhari Camp and pressure is being put on him.
But GEJ has declined.
But you never can tell. The is something about Power and Nigeria. It defies all logic.
The reality is that the North does not want Asiwaju Tinubu (and many in the Southern zones believe he is a hardsell too) and it is clear that power will definitely shift to the South in 2023, given the unwritten North/South Power rotation agreement. But this time, Buhari wants to decide who will succeed him.
Buhari likes Jonathan for his humility and honour and while all the lies and propaganda thrown at GEJ in the 2015 elections by the APC and Buhari ‘was just politics’, they want GEJ because they feel he won’t go for a second term and be vindictive against them. They also don’t mind if GEJ runs on the platform of the PDP.
It’s really a bizarre twist of events. I sent my advice this morning and I am sending it openly here again.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Sir…as you have declined this offer, it is advisable to stick to it. Not because you might not win if you are thrown into the contest but because…
It’s a poisoned chalice.
Charles Novia
THE ECHO 