Ahead of the 2023 general election, more pressure groups have stepped up lobbying and enjoined former President Goodluck Jonathan to take another shot at the exalted office in 2023.
There have been speculations that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was considering fielding Mr Jonathan in the next general election to serve a single term, having served one term as president on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Some APC governors recently held a private meeting with the ex-president in Abuja.
A coalition of pressure groups, under the aegis of the National Coalition for Goodluck Jonathan (NACOJO), has concluded plans to embark on aggressive grassroots mobilisation for Jonathan across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Addressing reporters yesterday after an enlarged executive council meeting of the body in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, NACOJO National Convener Munene Wilson said the body would release a comprehensive timetable next week for the inauguration of its state chapters.
Wilson said the body realised that Nigeria needs a leader that is abreast with the current political and economic challenges of the country, saying Jonathan is such a leader.
He added: “The Nigerian nation must not be handed over at this critical moment to a leader that will run experiment with her political and economic challenges.
“We plead with the former President to consider Nigeria above his personal interest and yield to the popular call for him to run for the 2023 presidential election on the platform of a preferred political party.”
Wilson was accompanied by the group’s National Secretary, Dr. Iteimowei Major, the Director of Organisation/Legal, Ovieyi Theophilus and the Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Ayebaitari Easterday.
Jonathan sought re-election as president in 2015 but was defeated by Muhammadu Buhari of the APC who has since been Nigeria’s president.
The Former President was first elected in 2011 after serving the remaining two years of his late boss, Umaru Yar’Adua and after the 2015 election, Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat and did not challenge the result in Court.
