North-South Intrigues And Clamour For Dr. Jonathan

… As The Polity Charges UP, Will GEJ Eat The Bait Now?

Tamunidienye George



Nigeria’s polity is charging up ahead of intense politicking towards 2023 general elections. The plum position of President is the cynosure of all eyes.

Given this scenario, top brass of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), are jostling to succeed the incumbent. Chief Ahmed Bola Tinibu was the first to visit Aso Rock, to seek President Buhari’s blessings, followed by David Omahi, governor of Ebonyi State of the East.

The moves by the APC bigwigs is amid plan to controversially woo former president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to retake power from President Buhari, to whom he had conceded defeat and peaceably handed over power in 2015.

Some Nigerians are concerned that what they need is a qualified, competent, effective and detribalized leader who will unite the people for the common good. Others are arguing for zoning of party tickets for the presidency to the South, and or empathically, to the East to give Igbos a sense of belonging in the Nigeria Project.

If the APC finally settles for the South, then the entire axis would slug it out among themselves, to produce a presidential candidate, while a running mate and top party positions go to the the North.
These arrangements could boost Chief Tinibu’s aspiration, hoping also that President Muhammadu Buhari whom he supported to clinch power in 2015 and 2019, would pay him back in good penny.

Chief Tinibu, the Lion of Bourdileon has a huge business and political empire built over the years from his days in the oil sector, National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) which immensely contributed to the country’s return from military to civilian government; a senatorial position he later held and floating of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), speak volumes about him.

These are in addition to his past remarkable performance as Lagos State Governor, where he managed affairs even without federal allocations for a long time, due to political skirmishes with the then president, Chief Olusegun Obasnajo, and the knack for using the good brains.

However, the bait being dangled at the former president, Dr. Jonathan, if it materializes, could make permutations a bit hazy on the APC’s side, if he would be honoured with automatic ticket by the APC, his arch opponent-party in 2015.

The big question is: will Dr. Jonathan actually join the APC to face Tinibu, the Jagaban, and others in the primary election? Also, would Dr. Jonathan be ready to accept any outcome, even if an embarrassing one to his soaring international reputation as a peace ambassador, having saved Nigeria from going into the precipice by peacefully handing over power? These are indeed pertinent questions for him to answer.

Should Dr. Jonathan accept the daisy offer to contest, his entrance into the ring, could lead to political recalculations, even on the side of Chief Tinibu and others. Already, some Lagos and Yoruba intellects, as it is usual in that zone full of intelligenciers and crack professionals, have started media analyses against Chief Tinibu's aspiration, even though support is also swelling for him.

This is besides his being perceived as a man ambitious for power and control, causing doubt among the Kingmakers in the North, that the Jagaban, might not kowtow to their wishes.

Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, incumbent Vice President of the country and protégé of Chief Tinibu is another factor in the political calculus. Intelligent, articulate and amiable, Prof. Osibanjo is in a position to get go ahead from his boss, President Buhari in what could turn out to be the story of Esau and Jacob, between him and his master, Tinibu, as President Buhari has kept his likely successor to the chest.

Although, groups are clamouring for Prof. Osibanjo, even groups from the North, influence peddlers in that axis, feel that he may change colour, if entrusted with the presidential power. The masses admire his intellect, but some lampoon that his rhetoric on national issues, is one too many.

Notwithstanding, Tinibu has many fans even in the North, yet, his political tentacles and structures are not so nationally spread to all zones, except that the name rings bell, especially for the Joker Card he used in supporting Buhari to become president, after the latter tried three times but to no avail.

More so, the APC’s enticement to Dr. Jonathan, is receiving ovation from many Nigerians, considering his comparative good performance in his first outing, even though, others feel that he did not forget anything in Aso Rock. They equally say that he was not able to use his reign to actualize many of his visions hence he should save his head and remain what he is as a global peace ambassador.

Wooing Dr. Jonathan to the race is also perceived as a plot to return power to to the core North, given that he cannot do more than one tenure, if re-elected.

But the factor of comparative performance is being heralded by his admirers and support groups which are already drumming for his return to power. The anthesis is that, some feel that he might not make a difference, given another chance.

Also to be considered as another factor is whether, the ambitions of persons from the same South-South Zone with Dr. Jonathan. For instance, the likes of Chief Rotimi Amaechi, Chief Timipre Sylva might be interested in the same election, unless, any of them may settle for vice presidential offer or all of them would take something else. Reports however show that political power brokers are resolving existing conflicts among some of the disagreeing fellows.

Chief Amaechi, former speaker and former governor of Rivers State, has a credible record of good performance in his state. A dynamic and bold fellow, Amaechi is also doing well in his current position as minister for transport, and also pleasing his master. Chief Amaechi's snags, could be independent-mindedness; how he was used against, Dr. Jonathan; political vendetta with Chief Wike, his kinsman, as well as grouse of not attracting federal projects to Rivers State.

Chief Timipre Sylva’s political capital has increased a lot since he became Minister for Petroleum (State). Chief Sylva is qualified for top national leadership, given some aspects of good performance as former governor of Bayelsa State, and large followership he commands at home.

Sylva is attracting federal projects, completion of old ones and commencement of overdue ones, for instance the Nigeria Content Development Management Board’s office in Yenagoa; epidemics and infectious diseases hospital, Yenagoa and the fertilizer processing plant at Brass. But, his Achilles’ heel, might also be his being used to curtail Dr. Jonathan’s previous second term bid.

Chief Sylva is also perceived as being independent-minded, and that he might not be amenable to control, if given any of the topmost positions of power in the country. He too, has had political skirmishes with politicians in his state, leaving his structures and those of the APC in the state, polarized.

For the PDP, there were clearer indications that its presidential ticket might be set aside for the North, to pair with a Southern running mate. But, recent reports are pointing to a no-zoning policy, if it so happens.

Alhaji Atiku Abubaker, Nigeria’s former Vice President and many times presidential contender is said to be warming up for another outing. His ambition too, is not without some considerations. Though, unannounced, feelers are pointing to Chief Nyesom Wike, as Atiku's running mate. But Wike has publicly asserted in the media that he is also rather qualified to be president of Nigeria, given his vast experience.

Atiku also has a huge business and political might, accumulated over the years. His political name and network cut across the whole country. He has a sound blue print to reposition Nigeria for better economic and political fortunes, through his much-canvassed true federalism, devolution of more powers to States and Local Government levels, as well as privatisation programmes.

But Atiku is also seen as one of the old school politcal leaders, like Chief Tinibu, in terms of age. Yet, Atiku is still strong and dynamic for such an assignment.

Alhaji Atiku, might also face sentiments from the North, on the grounds of his acclaimed bridge-builder posture, and disposition to restructuring the polity to create fairness and competition for development among states and regions. More aspirants from the North, for instance, former Senate President Burkola Saraki and Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto State, and others in that axis might be interested to face Atiku in the PDP.

If the PDP gives a lee way to the South, then Wike's chest-beating of being qualified for Presidential Seat, is plausible. A lawyer, political scientist, ex-local government Chairman, former Chief of Staff, former Minister of Education (State), and now Governor, Wike has proved himself a development-oriented leader in Rivers State. He has presently earned accolades as Mr. Projects, and for outspokenness on state, regional and national issues, sterling records which weigh in his favour for upward mobility.

Yet, he is also seen as one who is too outspoken, and would not be amenable to control by Kingmakers. Wike’s unending political fisticuffs in the media, with his brother, Chief Amaechi and other bigwig politicians, could count against his chance.

If feelers are anything to go by, and if PDP’s ticket actually goes to the North, then, a Southern running mate, as was being discussed in certain circles, is said to be Prof. Steve Sinikiem Azaiki, of Bayelsa State.

Indications are that, given his vast background, wealth of experience, level headedness, wide affiliations and detribalized nature, he could be suitable for the Second-in-Command's position. He was said to have been approached by top echelon political leaders and elder statesmen in the country, and intimated of likelihood of being presented to stand for the presidential election in a dual ticket with one of the presidential hopefuls in the PDP. Further talks are said to have been held on the matter, just as opinions varried that Azaiki even has the pedigree for the presidential position itself.

But that, the coast might get clearer for him in running mate slot, given his credentials and experience, to immensely support a President. However, some feel that despite his experience and current position as a lawmaker at the House of Representatives, swimming across the nation’s murky political waters infested with wild sharks, might not be an easy task for him.

Azaiki holds three Doctor of Philosophy Degrees, most recent of which is a Doctor of Science (DSc) in Public Administration, obtained abroad, two master’s degrees, among others.

However, if Dr. Jonathan acquiesces to APC’s overture to run as President on its ticket, then Prof. Azaiki, might not accept to run as running mate with a PDP presidential flag bearer, as it would look like a Bayelsa or South-South show.

Far and near, as the polity charges up ahead of 2023, the question is, will Dr. Jonathan run? Who and who will finally scale through the parties’ primary turfs, to later get the nod of the electorate, to become the next President and Vice President of Nigeria.

Time! And only time, and above all God, shall tell again!

I remember when they called this man the dumbest president
And i also remember one time he said
Nigerians will praise him after he leaves office

I rest my case

Truth be told is the turn of our brothers the igbos but the igbos can forget and leave it for ijaws as we are brothers.
Moreover good luck Jonathan just like me is pro ss/se.
If not these two tribes from SS/se then the north can rule forever.
God bless the richest,bravest and strongest black tribe.
God bless the ijaws.
God bless ss/se.
God bless Biafrans.

quote me GEJ is the next president of Nigeria............