Pro-Jonathan group begins grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu in south

The Citizens Network for Peace and Development in Nigeria (CNPDN), a support group of former President Goodluck Jonathan, says it has begun grassroots mobilisation for Bola Tinubu, standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The group had supported Jonathan to run for the presidency on the platform of the ruling party but he did not.

In a statement on Monday, Francis Okereke Wainwei, the group’s secretary, said having a southern president in 2023 would ensure unity in the country.

Okereke said the southern governors who want a northern president in 2023 should resign immediately.

“Our position that the next president of this country should come from the south is driven by the same vision and principles,” he said.

“We believe strongly that such will strengthen the unity and peace of the nation; it will give a better sense of belonging to the people of Southern Nigeria and foster a more viable peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.

“We were therefore surprised by the betrayal of the same cause by some of the southern governors, especially the south-south governors, except Nyesom Wike, who had earlier declared for a southern president to abandon the same and started pursuing their personal interests instead of the collective interest of the region.

“We are therefore calling on the south-south governors who have betrayed their people by supporting another northern candidate to take over from Buhari after eight years of a president from the North, to resign immediately.

“Tinubu is the easiest means to elect a president from southern extraction in 2023. He has nationwide acceptance and has the requisite political experience to navigate Nigeria to greatness as president of Nigeria.”