Opinion: Why It Won’t Be An Easy Task For APC To Campaign For Jonathan If He Eventually Picks The Party’s Ticket

If there is anytime Nigerians have experienced a major confusion and uncertainty ahead of a general election, it is no other time than now. 

In the last few weeks, the political space across the country has been tensed and densed with activities gearing towards the forthcoming 2023 general election. At the moment, internal politics appears to be creating more ripples in the atmosphere than the main general election.

While the situation seems more manageable in the opposition People’s Democratic Party, it is the other way round in the ruling All Progressive Congress.

Since the commencement of sale of nomination form till now, about 27 aspirants have reportedly bought the 100 million naira form. There is possibility the figure jacks up to 30 before the official close of sale.

What however triggered controversies is the alleged involvement of former president Goodluck Jonathan in the build up to the party primaries.

On Monday, it was reported that a Northern coalition purchased the form for the formal president who is yet to declare his interest. The report is coming after months of speculations, expections and denial from Jonathan.

Few hours after the news of purchase of form on his behalf went viral, the former president was said to have rejected the form saying he was not part of the arrangement.

Before now, there has been rumour that Jonathan is consulting with APC chieftains on the possibility of running on the party’s ticket. He was said to have given them a condition before he can contest the 2023 election. 

Part of the condition was a consensus candidacy. As at the moment, the consultation is said to be ongoing on the possibility of Jonathan running for president under the platform of APC.

If everything falls in line as expected and the ex-president eventually picks the ticket, the APC will no doubt have a herculean task in convincing Nigerians to vote for them in 2023.

One of the reasons is that APC is the same party that asked Nigerians in 2014 to vote out Jonathan on the basis of non performance. They described Jonathan as the worst president Nigeria ever had and retaining him beyond 2015 was inimical to the existence of the country.

What then would they tell Nigerians about Jonathan if they give him the ticket this time? 

The second reason it will be difficult for APC to campaign for Jonathan if he picks the ticket is because of accusations and allegations that have been levelled agaisnt the former president since he left office.

Since Buhari came to power in 2015, every shortcoming of his administration has been hung on the neck of Goodluck Jonathan. They claimed that Nigerians are experiencing economic crisis today because of how Jonathan and his men robbed the country blind during his tenure.

Virtually everything that is wrong with this present administration is traced to Jonathan tenure. Attempt to bring him back to power will be a dirty slap on Nigerians and it will amount to taking Nigerians for a ride.

It will also be an admission of failure and a complete waste of eight years on the part of APC. 

Nevertheless, Jonathan appears to be the only miracle that can happen for Northerners to return to power after four years. He cannot spend more than four years after he had already spent a tenure.

If Jonathan contests and wins, it will be a great opportunity for Northerners to return to Aso Rock after four years. If he doesn’t contest or win and another southerner emerges, they will have to wait for another eight years.

This is believed to be the main reason the northern elites are seriously rooting for the return of the former president.
Seun Akinnawonu,  a Journalist writes from Lagos