Why are PDP’s aspirants not consulting Jonathan?

One thing that is worthy of notice now is the attitude of the presidential aspirants to Goodluck Jonathan. When it comes to mentioning or listing elder statesmen in Nigeria, he ought to be included. The list won’t be exhaustive if he is not there.

Then, why are they not consulting him at all? Have they forgotten that he was the immediate past president of the country? Why would they apparently exclude him in their bid to take over from Muhammadu Buhari?

The direction of the aspirants has been towards Niger State. Several of them have travelled to the capital of the state, Minna. And they were there to meet Ibrahim Babangida or Abubakar Abdulsalam, both of whom led the country as military head of state.

The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has been at Minna. He had an interaction with Babangida. Of course, he was seeking the endorsement of the former military president. It is not clear if the former president has given the endorsement.

The same thing is applicable to Mr. Nyesom Wike. He worked with Jonathan till 2015, when the ex president left power. Yet Wike has not done the needful by visiting the former president to discuss his ambition.

Wike led some other notable southern PDP leaders including Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde to Minna. They were able to talk with the former head of state. What about Goodluck Jonathan?

Definitely, Mr. Bala Mohammed gave the recognition to Jonathan. He travelled to dialogue with the ex president at his residence. He point-blank told his former boss that he would like to lead the federation.

There couldn’t be any specific reason for this particular development. One fact is that Jonathan has never said he would contest again. Any information about his return to power remains a rumour. He has rather chosen to be quiet and watch things.

If the northern elites including Bukola Saraki, Aminu Tambuwal, Atiku Abubakar have yet to meet Jonathan, what could be the excuse of Nyesom Wike and other southern aspirants?