Ahead 2027 general elections, a group of people have begun to call on former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest for president in 2027.
The socio-political group, under the aegis of Niger Delta Integrity and Justice (NDIJ), noted that it appreciated the call on former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to choose the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, as his running mate in 2027 general elections, but i sisted that it preferred former President Jonathan to recontest.
The group disclosed that having former President Jonathan back in office is a grand plan of the Niger Delta people.
According to the Secretary of the group, George Miriki, the people of Niger Delta are no longer interested in playing second fiddle in the nation’s governance.
The statement signed by Miriki reads inter alia: “Our agenda for 2027 is to produce the President. In as much as we appreciate Diri and his closeness to Atiku, we will work against shortchanging the Niger Delta in 2027.
“We want to produce the President and our mission is to ensure that the Niger Delta completes its term of eight years at the Presidency. Former President Goodluck Jonathan was booted out of office and was not allowed to complete his term.
“In the last election, we presented the argument and Jonathan nearly became a top contender for the APC presidential ticket.
“This time, we are coming stronger with the argument of allowing Jonathan to complete his tenure for the region.
“Instead of producing a vice-president in Diri, we will prefer a president in Jonathan. He is still loved, and with his global appeal, we believe he will succeed.
“We recall the good job done by a top politician in Bayelsa and a former Chief of Staff, Chief Dikivie Ikiogha, who led regional meetings to sell Jonathan’s candidacy in 2023 and almost succeeded.
“This time around, we are calling on Ikiogha and other well-meaning politicians in the Niger Delta to start the consultations early.”