A group that goes by the name Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has added to the pressure on former President Goodluck Jonathan to run for presidency in 2023. Various groups have called on Jonathan to run, this time on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday, MOSIEND declared that the former president should not come back to the Niger Delta region if he fails to contest for the post.
The statement was issued by Kennedy Tonjo-West, the National President of MOSIEND, who said that all the youth leaders of the region were in agreement that Jonathan must run.
Two weeks ago, a group of supporters for Jonathan besieged his office in Abuja, urging him to run for the post. Media reports have said that two governors from the north are responsible for the plot to get Jonathan to run for the office.
However, there are reports that there is no agreement within the APC for Jonathan to run, with some people saying that Jonathan is being propped up for a great crash because there is no agreement on an automatic ticket for him.
But Tonjo-West argued that Jonathan possesses the temperament and focus to manage the problems facing the country currently.
“Jonathan’s competence to handle Nigeria problems more effectively and efficiently is not in doubt. He is not new in that environment and will fastly get things done before any other candidate,” he said.
“To this end, having extensively consulted far and wide with community youth leaders and critical ethnic nationality stakeholders in the region, we have their consent to call on former President Goodluck Jonathan to accept the clarion call by Nigerians to contest the 2023 election.
“It is obvious that while as human we have our plans and dreams about the country, God also have His plans to advance Nigeria as well. God is not finished with Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan concerning the leadership of our great country yet.
“The situation in Nigerian is worsening by the day and requires somebody with wealth of experience, detribalised and uncommon leadership attributes to fix the challenges. Nigerian can’t afford to misuse this opportunity to stabilize the country.
“Jonathan has been there, he has a clear roadmap to bail us from this quagmire we find ourselves. We will appreciate all our ministers, governors across the party divide to draw wisdom from Sen Bala Mohammed decision to step down if Jonathan finally decide to contest”.