It is no longer a secret, that there are rumours making rounds about an alleged plot by some Northern powers within the All Progressives Congress (APC), to lure Nigeria’s former President, Goodluck Jonathan, to the party, and subsequently field him as the party’s flag-bearer in 2023 presidential election. This has already been generating mixed reactions from the public, particularly those from the Southern region of Nigeria.
To some people, it would be a welcomed development, to have the former President back. To some others, there is no need to bring Goodluck Jonathan back. However, a critical look at the ongoing debate between the North and Southern regions, over the issue of zoning of the 2023 Presidency to a particular region, points to the direction that Southerners should indeed, support the alleged plot to become a reality.
Recall that the former President is eligible to rule the country for another four years, and is undoubtedly the only Southerner who could rule for 4 years without having his eye on another term. With this in mind, it can be argued that the former President is the best bait that the Southerners could use to easily convince the North, to drop its 2023 presidential ambition, and allow the Southerners to rule.
Also, having Goodluck Jonathan rule for another four years before power is returned to the North, would pave way for the equalization of the number of years ruled by the two regions. This is due to the fact the next Northerner to rule, would spend 8 years in office, to bring the number of years ruled by each region since the country returned to democratic rule in 1999, to 18 years.
Arguably, it could be easier for the North to allow the South rule for only 4 years, than the 8 years which another candidate is likely to spend. As such, one may not be wrong to say that with Goodluck Jonathan, the South is likely to secure the 2023 Presidency to which it has often clamoured for. With this in mind, it is my view that Southerners should support the rumoured plot to bring back Goodluck Jonathan as Nigeria’s President in 2023.
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