It is now official: the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it lost its 16-year hold on power because former President Goodluck Jonathan betrayed the north.
Cairo Ojougboh, vice-chairman (south-south) of the PDP, told journalists in Abuja on Friday that if Jonathan had kept to his promise to do only one term in 2011, the party would not have lost the election.
In a report published by THISDAY on Sunday, Ojougboh said even the Christian north turned against Jonathan in the 2015 polls because of the “injustice” of reneging on his promise.
Although he was widely reported to have promised to do only one term in 2011, Jonathan denied entering such a pact and challenged his accusers to provide evidence.
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But Ojougboh maintained that Jonathan did make the promise after succeeding President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who had barely spent three years in office when he died.
The PDP leader said: “Jonathan himself said he will do only four years. Emirs, leaders and stakeholders in the country accepted that Jonathan will do only four years so that power can shift to the north. When the time came, a lot of macabre dance started. People started putting pressure here and there, and people started encouraging Jonathan to contest.
“Unfortunately, Jonathan didn’t have the nerve to say, no, I will keep my agreement. So, Jonathan contesting meant that zoning formula had been breached. The north didn’t take kindly to it; they said, no, this is not what we agreed. Even the Christian north that used to be very friendly, especially the north-central, said, we had an agreement.
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“Some governors, about five of them, left the party because of that because they saw what was happening. The north now agreed that they must take power back, that it was their turn.”
He said the 2015 election was a battle between the north and the south.
“The south had done more than enough for the time being, for the agreement of 1998/1999. So the north said, look we are going to vote for our son, whether he is good or bad,” he said.
Jonathan lost to President Muhammadu Buhari by 2.57 million votes, having won in 2011 by a difference of 10 million votes.
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15 comments
Ok….. U lost because GEJ didn’t keep his promise….. Of what use is d info now and How does that change whatever is going on in the nation now?
PDP pls stop pointing fingers, crying over spilt milk and let’s seek ways to make things better and move the nation forward.
PRESS RELEASE
Further to my interview earlier this morning, let me state that at no time
did I say that Mr. President mandated me to say he will run in 2011.
For the avoidance of doubt, I said the President can run if he so decides
and that it will be unfair to ask him not to run.
If he decides to run I will vote for him.
All what I said is my personal belief as a private citizen with the right
to freedom of expression.
DR. CAIRO OJOUGBOH
May 12, 2010…………………this is the same Cairo————-so he knew Jonathan signed an agreement with the fulani north–before he made that silly comment
Bros, indeed I don’t kno wot’s wrong wit our southern politicians. They somtimes disgrace.
Alright pdp lost because of failure to keep a promise.Thé question however is would a northerner have kept that promise given a similar scénario?No Did Obasanjo kept bis single term promise?No please stop thèse blame games JEG lost because he is a minority and people like you thé south south politicians who were eager to return power to their Fulani masters.So just own up to accepting to take second or évén third in Nigeria.After all 80 percent of hour oil wells belong to our Fulani of north masters shamelessly I must say.
If ur claim of GEJ loss was as a result if his being a minority, was he a majority in 2011 & later changed his state of origin in 2015. Keeping promise shld b sacrosanct irrespective of circumstance u find urself. Referring to OBJ, d fact dat somebody stole is shldnt b an indicator for every other person should also steal, let’s stop making negative references
It is not all about south vs the North, I am sure if Jonathan have stir the affairs of the country in a matured and intelligent manner, he could be in the officer, he alway keep deaf ears to national outcry on issues, SECURITY, CORRUPTION, LACK OF CLEAR ECONOMIC BLUE PRINT, IN-EQUALITY WITHIN THE VARIOUS SECTION OF THE COUNTRY AND TRIBAL AND RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES IS THE OTHER OF THE DAY.
The proclivity among politicians is about Power and not good governance. We the Masses are more concerned about the dividends of good governance and not party,religious or regional inclinations. North or South we all Nigerians. Nobody stays on top forever. Wherever u find urself do a good job, let posterity be ur judge.
Please some things should not make news. Nigeria is bigger than the South-South and of course the North. We should be all about who is competent and definitely not about Zoning.
I humbly beg to disagree with you, sir. PDP lost because of ineptitude and the earlier you a accept this the better.
Those making arrangement shd put d nation first rather than personal interest.
That which cannot be avoided can be endureth. coming back with this tale by moonlight story will not do us any good let those that are bittered endure and see the change even though we are yet to see the so call change.
This tour tesson why thé former président lost beats every logic ànd thé évidence so far narrates thé contrary.If one may ask, where is thé place of underage voting across thé north?Whats thé place of INÉC and Jega in defeating GEJ?And where will you.place thé hâte campaign that prevented thé former président from visiting thé north?How about thé recorded tapes of hâte messages circulated amont northern muslims that GEJ Was infidèl ?So many factors indeed so picking issues of not keeping promise that nobody could prove is just idle talk cron a lazy analyst.
Mm..pls gimme a break. Wait as the rot unfolds and you will realize why PDP lost.
Your comment..time shall tell
When will Nigerian citizens determine who rules them regardless of he region? If and only if GEJ had performed well even some progressive minds i the North would think twice before voting!