By Emmanuel Nduka
Hundreds of young Nigerians and supporters of former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday stormed his Abuja office, demanding that he declares his intention to run for the Office of President in 2023.
The supporters carrying placards bearing varying inscriptions such as “you are a good man”, “Jonathan, you’re the only voice of the masses we know”, “Jonathan you must run” among others, insisted that the former President remains their only hope for a better future.
The elated and enthusiastic supporters took over the entire Taraba street and other adjoining streets in Maitama in the nation’s capital singing and chanting the names and glory of Jonathan while disturbing the flow of traffic in the process.
Responding to their calls, Jonathan, who took about an hour to come out to address his supporters, said he was still in the process of consultation and would soon make known his decision whether to contest or not.
While acknowledging their overwhelming supports, the former President urged his teeming supporters to continue to pray for peace and unity of Nigeria and that God should provide the right candidate to lead the country.
Jonathan further encouraged the youths to get involved in the political process, stressing that as long as many youths get involved in the political process the more the country will be able to get “the government that we want.”
“The country has been facing so many challenges, some of them started very long time ago and I believe with the interest of the young people, these challenges will be dealt with. We will work very hard.
“Yes, you are calling me to come and declare for the next election. I cannot tell you I’m declaring, the political process is ongoing just watch out. But the key role you must play is to pray that Nigeria gets somebody that carries the young people along and somebody that can also work very hard to see that some of the problems we see are dealt with by the government and I believe that collectively we will work together. I thank all of you,” the former President said.
With speculations about his candidacy growing, Jonathan is however yet to make any official declaration.
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