Northern Group Regrets Voting Against Jonathan In 2015, Ask Him To Contest In 2017

The Arewa Consensus for Jonathan, a Northern political group, has expressed regret for voting against former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 general elections, acknowledging that his administration had the nation’s best interests at heart.

Speaking during a press briefing in Bauchi on Sunday, the group’s National Coordinator, Manniru Musa Yisin, noted that after experiencing leadership under two different administrations since Jonathan’s tenure, the North now appreciates the developmental strides witnessed during his presidency.

Yisin stated, “As Nigerians of Northern extraction, we felt especially privileged under Jonathan’s administration when he introduced a human development programme tailored to address the region’s challenges.”

He lauded Jonathan’s focus on education, specifically the Almajiri Education Initiative, which aimed to uplift underprivileged Northern Muslim children by providing them with educational opportunities and a path to a better life.

He lamented that this programme was discontinued after the 2015 elections, leaving a significant gap in educational support for Northern youths.

Criticising the current administration, Yisin highlighted the severe economic challenges faced by Nigerians, with citizens experiencing widespread poverty and the burden of multiple taxes.

“If the government continues with its anti-people policies, there will be no one left to vote in the next election,” he warned.

The group also called on Jonathan to consider running for the presidency in 2027, expressing confidence in his ability to lead the country through its current economic and social turmoil.

Yisin underscored the importance of upholding Nigeria’s power rotation between the North and South, describing it as vital for national unity and peaceful coexistence.

“It is our humble belief that upholding this unwritten rule of power rotation is crucial for Nigeria’s unity and the harmonious coexistence of its diverse cultural groups,” he added.