2023: Ex-President Goodluck accepts bid to run for president, begins secret plans

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, despite several denials in the public sphere, is secretly eyeing a comeback to Aso Rock, the country’s seat of power in May 2023, when the incumbent, Muhammadu Buhari would be handing over.

CaracalReports learnt that Jonathan during the Christmas break went to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, his home state, where he met with South-South leaders and gave them a go-ahead to begin proxy campaigns for him.

It was gathered that some of the elders persuaded him to consider the All Progressives Congress although Jonathan was afraid of public backlash and still wanted to consider the Peoples Democratic Party – the party which brought him to power in 2011.

The secret meeting was held on December 27, 2021, reportedly took place at Aridolf Hotels and Spars in Yenagoa.

A source said, “It was after Jonathan visited President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja last Thursday. He sneaked into his hometown and held a meeting with some South-South leaders.

“Details of the meeting are not all out but it was on 2023 ambition. Jonathan has given them a nod to begin underground work and mobilisation for him.”  

Already, some Northern All Progressives Congress (APC) governors were plotting Jonathan’s return to the Presidency to assuage the South and enable the North to return to power after four years.

Jonathan’s political associate, Chief Dikivie Ikiogha, formed the South-South Presidency 2023 and had held consultative meetings with stakeholders.

“The coordinators of the group plotting for Jonathan to return to Aso Rock in 2023 met recently with Jonathan at his wife’s Aridolf Hotels and Spars.

“The chairman of the group, Chief Dikivie Ikiogha, and other Southsouth coordinators were present at the meeting. Jonathan indicated an interest in their campaign and asked them to return to their different states to continue with their campaign.

“This plot has been kept active by two governors from the Northwest, who are plotting for a strong APC Northern governor to become Jonathan’s running mate.

“There is also a plan to reconcile Jonathan with the South-South minister,” another source at the meeting said.