A regional branch of the New Nigeria Integrity Movement (NNIM), representing the Middle Belt Zone, has issued a fervent plea for former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election, citing a deepening national crisis and a perceived failure of the current administration.
In a strongly worded press release issued on Sunday, yesterday, the NNIM described the situation facing ordinary Nigerians as “unbearable,” highlighting escalating insecurity, widespread economic hardship, and a cost-of-living crisis exacerbated by the recent removal of subsidies. of fuel.
The group, in a statement signed by Hon. Pastor Peter Hassan, National Leader, and Dr. Blessing Eliagu, Secretary, claimed millions are now struggling to afford basic necessities, with poverty and hunger “deepening” across the country.
“Nigeria stands at a difficult crossroads,” the statement reads. “Governance has gone from bad to worse, with only condolences offered in the face of intensifying insecurity.
The present moment calls for leadership that prioritises the welfare, stability, and survival of the people.”
The NNIM argues that infrastructure projects, while important, do little to alleviate the immediate suffering experienced by the populace. They are positioning Jonathan as a stabilising force, capable of providing the “calm, experienced, and credible leadership” needed to restore hope and rebuild trust in government.
Crucially, the call for Jonathan’s return is framed as a means of upholding Nigeria’s delicate power-sharing arrangements. The NNIM suggests a single term for Jonathan would ensure a return to the North for the 2031 election, reinforcing the principle of rotational presidency and maintaining “national balance and political stability.” They also highlight that a Jonathan presidency would complete the turn for the Southern Nigeria region.
The group has also appealed for international support, urging “global leaders of democratic nations” to back Jonathan, whom they describe as “one of the most experienced statesmen Nigeria has ever produced.” They point to his previous tenure as demonstrating “humility, tolerance, and respect for the rule of law,” contrasting it with what they perceive as the failings of the current leadership. The statement also claims poverty and hunger were lower during Jonathan’s time in office, and livelihoods were more secure.
The NNIM insists this call is not motivated by partisan politics but by a genuine concern for the future of Nigeria. “This is not driven by partisan sentiment but by a growing concern for the survival and dignity of the Nigerian people,” the release concludes. “The time to act is now.”
