2023 Presidency: Group urge ex-president Jonathan to join race

A support group, Restore Nigeria Project, has addressed an open letter to former president Goodluck Jonathan, urging him to contest the 2023 presidential election.

In the letter which was signed on Tuesday by its national coordinator, Mustapha Ahmadu, the group added that the former president had distinguished himself as a reputable statesman.

The letter partly read, “It is in this light that we at the Restore Nigeria Project, a socio-political group founded on the foundations of good governance, civic engagement and grassroots development, joins renewed calls for former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR, to join the 2023 presidential race.

“This is without fear of contradiction, a call that stems from a deep sense of passion, pure patriotism and good intent for the nation.

“Former President Goodluck Jonathan has distinguished himself as a global statesman, attracting recognition across the world as an ambassador for peace and symbol of democracy.

“A peaceful man; the world still recalls with nostalgia how his refusal to cling to power illegitimately after his loss in 2015, reduced tension in one of the most bitterly contested elections in Nigerian history, setting a precedent for peaceful transitions among African leaders.

“Never reneging on peace, Jonathan has consistently put the national interest first above selfish and parochial interest. It is worthy of note that he has provided support to the Buhari-led administration, despite being in the opposition party, furthering the nation’s influence in the sub-Saharan region.”