Northern Governors' Forum Opposed Jonathan's Second Term Bid Amidst Disagreement Over Presidency Agreements

The governors of the 19 northern states, including those from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), met in Abuja and unanimously decided not to allow former President Goodluck Jonathan secure a second term in the 2015 presidential election. According to Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, the then Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, the governors opposed Jonathan's second term bid due to a prior agreement made with the party leadership and state governors that he would not run for a second term. The agreement, which was reached following the sudden passage of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua in 2010, had Jonathan completing Yar'Adua's remaining term and contesting the next presidential election as a sole candidate. However, Jonathan's insistence on running for a second term in 2015, despite the agreement, led to the opposition from the northern governors.

Key Takeaways:

• The 19 northern governors, including those from the PDP, met in Abuja and resolved not to allow Jonathan secure a second term in the 2015 presidential election.
• The governors opposed Jonathan's second term bid due to a prior agreement made with the party leadership and state governors that he would not run for a second term.
• The agreement was reached in 2010, following the sudden passage of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, where Jonathan would complete Yar'Adua's remaining term and contest the next presidential election as a sole candidate.
• Jonathan's insistence on running for a second term in 2015, despite the agreement, led to opposition from the northern governors.
• Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, the then Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, led the opposition against Jonathan's second term bid, citing the agreement made by the governors and the party leadership.
• The northern governors argued that it would be morally wrong for Jonathan to contest for and win the 2015 presidential election, having completed Yar'Adua's term and held the office for four years.

Statistics:

• 19 northern governors opposed Jonathan's second term bid.
• The governors met in Abuja in 2015 to discuss their opposition to Jonathan's second term bid.
• The prior agreement made in 2010, following the sudden passage of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, was between the party leadership, state governors, and Jonathan.
• Jonathan served four years as President, completing Yar'Adua's remaining term.

Sources:

• "Why We Opposed Jonathan's Second Term Bid", Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu
• No additional sources.