The Niger Delta Integrity and Justice has declared its support for former President Goodluck Jonathan to run for president in 2027, rather than settling for a vice presidential slot.
This comes in response to suggestions that Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, should be considered as a vice presidential candidate.
In a statement, NDIJ Secretary, George Miriki, stated that the group’s goal is to produce the president from the Niger Delta region, completing the region’s eight-year tenure, according to NaijaNews.
They believe Jonathan, with his global appeal and remaining popularity, is the ideal candidate to achieve this goal.
NDIJ appreciates Diri’s closeness to Atiku Abubakar but emphasizes that they will not settle for a vice presidential position.
Instead, they aim to secure the presidency for the Niger Delta region, with Jonathan as their preferred candidate.
This move aligns with their mission to ensure the region completes its full term at the presidency.
Speaking via a statement by its Secretary, George Miriki, the group said, “Our agenda for 2027 is to produce the President. In as much as we appreciate Diri and his closeness to Atiku, we will work against shortchanging the Niger Delta in 2027.
“We want to produce the President and our mission is to ensure that the Niger Delta completes its term of eight years at the Presidency.”
The statement noted that, “This time, we are coming stronger with the argument of allowing Jonathan to complete his tenure for the region.
“Instead of producing a vice-president in Diri, we will prefer a president in Jonathan. He is still loved. And with his global appeal, we believe he will succeed.”
