NEWS
Jonathan’s Absence At PDP National Convention Sets Tongues Wagging
There are concerns on Saturday that Nigeria’ former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan may have concluded plans to dump the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as he was conspicuously absent from the much-talked about national convention of the party.
There have been speculations that the former president was planning to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to seek a fresh reelection under the APC ticket.
Although the former president’s supporters are goading him to join the ruling party, Mr Jonathan’ deafening silence has continued to fuel rumours that he may be considering the option provided he is guaranteed the candidacy of the presidential ticket in 2023, according to NaijaTv report.
Multiple reports say at the eve of the Convention (Friday Evening), the Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri and governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo had led a powerful delegation to beg the former President to attend the 2021 PDP National Convention but sources said the former President reportedly ignored their plea.
But prior to the convention, the former President’s media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, had hinted of Jonathan’s absence when he released his itinerary, disclosing that Mr Jonathan would be in Nairobi, Kenya, for a three-day peace and security event organised by the African Union.
“Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will depart Abuja, on Saturday, for Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, to attend the 12th African Union (AU) High-Level Retreat on the promotion of peace, security and stability in Africa,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori was cynosure of all eyes at the PDP convention held at Eagle Square which was flooded by presidential posters and banners of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and that of former President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki.
According to Vanguard report, Presidential campaign Posters and banners of Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, his Bauchi State Counterpart, Bala Mohammed, former governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo; former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso and former Special Assistant to past President Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr. Doyin Okupe have also been displayed in and around the venue.
Posters of Senator Shehu Sani for Governor of Kaduna State, among others also flooded the venue of the Convention.
Governors of Adamawa, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Sokoto, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Taraba, Abia, Oyo, Enugu, Delta, Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, former governors Gabriel Suswam of Benue, Babangida Aliyu of Niger, former governor of Kogi; former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu; Senate Minority leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, House of Representatives Minority leader, Ndudi Elumelu, Senate Minority Whip, Senator Philip Aduda; former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie, Chief Chris Uba, among others are on ground.
