Former President, Goodluck Jonathan is not interested in hijacking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in Bayelsa State, a group under the aegis of PDP Southsouth League has said.
The PDP group, in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Ariolu Tebidapa (Delta State) and Secretary, Mr. Akpan Ibibio (Akwa Ibom) said Jonathan “is too big to hijack the state party structure” at a time when he is widely celebrated nationally and internationally for his tremendous achievements.
The statement reads: “We have been observing for some time, a new trend of sponsored attempts aimed at reducing and ridiculing the tall image and personality of former President Goodluck Jonathan. It is however , most unfortunate that those behind this, are people within the South South region, at a time when the former President is widely celebrated both nationally and internationally for his tremendous achievements which Nigerians are now attesting to comparatively.
“As concerned PDP members from the South South region, we cannot fold our arms to watch anyone or group, malign our father and leader in the person of His Excellency, Goodluck Jonathan; hence we have decided to speak up.”
The group said some persons within the PDP who sees the former President as a threat ahead of 2019 elections had refused to back down after the Supreme Court judgement had laid to rest the leadership crisis that rocked the party.
It added that the former president was not interested in contesting the 2019 general elections.
“His Excellency, former President Goodluck Jonathan is not contesting for the office of the President of the federal republic of Nigeria, even though he is well qualified constitutionally and by pedigree because he is still widely loved and accepted by Nigerians.
“Former President Goodluck Jonathan that we know, is a perfect gentleman and the National leader of our party PDP, who will not want to reduce himself to affairs of one state or a region as some persons may want to project him. He is a father who forgives and listens to everyone no matter your status; and will always sacrifice his comfort for peace at any cost.
“It is obvious, that since after the supreme court judgement that laid to rest the leadership crisis that rocked the PDP, some persons within the party in the region, are still not settled due to the role they played, in spite of the fact that the party has granted amnesty to all those who worked against the interest of the party. These persons see the former President, Goodluck Jonathan as a threat, hence their reactions in trying to attack his personality,” the statement said.
The group accused those who feel threatened by the former President’s achievements of spreading falsehood against him.
“We consider this story as an imagination from those who are being chased by their shadow. As the leader of the party, how can he be interested in only one state when the party is preparing for elective congresses and National convention?
“If at all former President Goodluck Jonathan is interested in anything, it should rather be who leads the party at the national level to push forward his vision for Nigeria.
“Consequently, we consider all these as attempts to distract the attention of the former President, at a time when he is busy working with other party leaders and focusing his attention on how to reposition our great party and Nigeria for the challenges ahead,” the statement added.