Even with the ruling of various courts to the effect that Dr Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s former president, is qualified to contest the 2027 presidential election, there are emerging indications that the revered Otuoke son may not throw his hat into the ring.
Jonathan is believed to have considered a few things before arriving at the decision-the fear of failing in a contest against an incumbent, the need to preserve his integrity and dignity, the lack of support from his wife, Patience, who has since disassociated herself from the project, as well as the suspicion that Nigerians, most of whom prefer to sell their votes on election day, may not stand with him when the chips are down.
But then, some of his close allies are still of the opinion that the former president will fly the flag of the PDP and that he would be contesting to win. According to TNN sources, Jonathan, who has since been cleared by the faction led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, was only buying time before opening up to the world.
Whereas TNN was informed on Monday that Jonathan was going to contest, a counter position emerged from a very close ally of the former president shortly after Tuesday court judgement, that the man would not contest.
The source told TNN that Jonathan was not ready financially and emotionally for the race. He said running against the president, Bola Tinubu, would not have been a good decision, even though there has been so much pressure for him to run.
He asked: “How can you run against a man who has coerced all the governors and brought them to his side? How can you contest against someone whose campaigns are going to be run with public funds, when you are a private individual?
“There is much pressure for him to contest. Yes, but it is not just about contesting an election. This matter is beyond being on the ballot. So much is involved and I can tell you that this is not a gamble the former president will like to play.”
The former president’s ally however said it was gratifying to see the court rule in favour of Jonathan, saying he has been able to make a statement that just in case he wishes to contest the election, there is no encumbrance.
Justice Peter Lifu, had ruled on Tuesday, that there was no legal impediment preventing Jonathan from seeking a return to The Presidency, noting that the issue of Jonathan’s eligibility had already been decided by the Court of Appeal.
He dismissed as frivolous and an abuse of court process the suit that was entered against the former president by an Abuja-based legal practitioner, Mr Jideobi Johnmary. According to the judge, the plaintiff lacked the locus standi (legal right) to institute the action.
Penultimate week, Jonathan had received a group of youths in his Abuja residence, who were there to mount pressure on him to contest. The former president had assured that he would consult widely before taking a decision.
However, Jonathan is likely to disappoint all those who had have been calling on him to run against the sitting president.
In a related development, it has been said that the Turaki faction of the PDP will hopefully file a case at the Supreme Court for clarification and interpretation of the judgement it delivered on the lingering leadership crisis in the PDP.
TNN learnt that one of the issues that may have forced Jonathan not to be decisive has been the protracted PDP crisis. TNN was told that Jonathan had vowed that if it was not the umbrella of the PDP, he would not contest under any other political party.
On Monday, TNN had called Ikechukwu Eze, the spokesman of Jonathan, but he did not take the calls, neither did he return them.
