2023 Presidency: My Interest Is ‘Mere Speculation’ – Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has described the rumours of his interest to contest in the 2023 presidential election as “mere speculation.”

Jonathan stated this during his condolence visit to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State in Asaba over the recent demise of the governor’s father, Sir Okorie Okowa. The former President pledged to continue to serve God, humanity, and Africa to the best of his ability.

He said, “On the rumour of my interest in the 2023 presidential election, it is mere speculation. I will continue to serve God, humanity, Africa and the world to the best of my ability and with all sense of commitment and sincerity.”

On security, Jonathan called for a synergy between President Muhammadu Buhari, governors, security chiefs and other stakeholders, adding that such would de-escalate the tension caused by the challenge of insecurity in the country.

The former president maintained that it is unfortunate that school children and many Nigerians are being kidnapped for ransom by bandits.

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“I believe that with the commitment of the governors and the Federal Government, we will be able to address the issue of insecurity in the country. I believe that the President himself is not sleeping and that the governors are not sleeping as well over the insecurity challenge in the country.

“As long as the governors, the President and all the security agencies can work together, Nigeria will be able to cross over this very ugly phase of societal evolution,” he said.

Jonathan commiserate with governor Okowa on the passing away of his father and called him and his siblings to continue to promote the enviable records of their father as a way of immortalizing him.

Okowa thanked Jonathan for identifying with the family on the demise of their patriarch, and said they were comforted by the fact that their father died in Christ.

“We appreciate your fatherly role, even within our own South-South region and I must actually use this opportunity to thank you for the establishment of the Maritime University in Okerenkoko because that actually did bring peace to us as a state,” Okowa added.