APC Governors' Moves to Woo GEJ Ahead of 2023 Presidential Election

Strategic Insights -

As Nigeria inches closer to the 2023 presidential election, APC governors have been visiting former President Jonathan, sparking debate within the opposition PDP. The visits have triggered panic among PDP leaders, who fear Jonathan may defect to the APC, which could potentially retain power beyond 2023. However, political observers note that the APC governors' proactive measures aim to ensure the party's dominance in the election.

Key Takeaways:

  • The APC governors' visits to former President Jonathan have generated debate within the opposition PDP, with some leaders fearing he may defect to the APC.
  • The APC's moves are seen as an attempt to retain power beyond 2023, with the party aiming to capitalize on Jonathan's popularity and influence.
  • The opposition PDP has accused the APC of creating conflicts and using them as political launching pads in the build-up to the 2015 presidential election.
  • The APC has failed to dislodge allegations of security lapses and ethnic cleansing, with some officials acknowledging that the conflicts have been used as a political tool.
  • The current government and its supporters have not refuted the accusations, which have led to violent regional agitations in the South-East by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Yoruba Nation in the South-West.
  • President Jonathan's statesmanship and sportsmanship in conceding defeat in 2015 have been cited as a reason why he should be considered for the presidency in 2023.
  • The APC's plans to woo Jonathan are seen as a desperate attempt to hold onto power, with the party facing internal divisions and external challenges.
  • The North's failure to produce a visionary leader has led to the region's stagnation and underdevelopment, despite producing more presidents and heads of government in Nigerian history.

Statistics:

* Nigeria has been inching closer to becoming a failed state over the past few years, with the country facing protracted conflicts, banditry, and kidnappings.

* The APC has held power for eight years, with the current administration facing accusations of ethnic cleansing, security lapses, and corruption.

* The opposition PDP has accused the APC of creating conflicts as political launching pads in the build-up to the 2015 presidential election.

* The APC has failed to address allegations of security lapses and ethnic cleansing, with some officials acknowledging that the conflicts have been used as a political tool.

Sources:

* "…since November 2020 when governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) started visiting former President Jonathan, the visits had generated debate in several quarters."

* "…the APC governors appear to be taking proactive measures to ensure the party retains power beyond 2023."

* "…the APC governors to draw former President Jonathan nearer to them ahead of the 2022 national convention of the party."

* "…Dr. Jonathan shocked the world by a very rare display of sportsmanship and statesmanship when he conceded defeat by calling on his opponent, General Muhammadu Buhari, before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the final result of his second term presidential election."

* "…the present government and its foot soldiers have not refuted the gamut of these allegations that have been trending for years."

* "…Albert Einstein once stated, 'the only thing more dangerous than ignorance is arrogance', which is what some elements in the Buhari government and certain conservatives in the North are trying to exhibit."