During the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation’s Democracy Dialogue in Accra, Ghana, on Wednesday, he made the claim that judicial independence is essential to creating a stable and reliable economic environment.
Jonathan maintained that no investor would put money into an economy when the judiciary is tainted and controlled by politics.
Everyone is impacted. For instance, no entrepreneur can invest in a nation with a corrupt judiciary, where a government official can order judges to render a particular verdict. Because they are taking a significant risk, no individual comes his money to invest in that economy,” he remarked.
Jonathan went on to say that regardless of political or personal interests, Nigerian leaders must maintain justice and equity if they are to safeguard the country’s future.
“We must strive to do what is right, no matter how painful it is, if we must build a nation for our children and grandchildren,” he stated.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan must adhere to due process before running for president in 2027, according to the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Abia State chapter.
The party affirmed that the PDP is an inclusive platform where qualified members are free to aim for any office in line with party rules and the Nigerian Constitution, while acknowledging Jonathan’s right to run.
Abraham Amah, the party’s chairman in Abia State, told Punch on Tuesday that a free and fair election would be used to choose the party’s presidential candidate.
However, he claimed that Jonathan has not yet properly presented his manifesto to the party.
“Speculations and questions about former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s potential interest in running for our great party’s presidential ticket in the upcoming general elections have caught the attention of the Abia State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party,” he stated. Jonathan is entitled to challenge.
The People’s Democratic Party will hold a free, fair, transparent, and democratic presidential convention to choose its preferred candidate. It has nothing to do with individual members, groups, or party structures’ unilateral endorsements, personal preferences, or wishful thinking.
Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has the constitutional right to run for the party’s ticket if he so chooses because he is a respected party leader and a former president.
According to party rules and the Nigerian Constitution, “the PDP remains an open, inclusive platform where every eligible member is free to aspire to any office.”
“We know that some powerful interest groups within the PDP firmly believe that Dr. Jonathan is eminently qualified to give the party a strong and competitive representation at the national level,” he continued.
Although these viewpoints are acknowledged, Amah stated that the convention’s delegates have the last say in the matter.
“Abia PDP engagements are still available. Former President Jonathan has not yet formally presented his policy direction, vision, or agenda to the Abia PDP. However, we think that he or any other candidate still has time to contact our chapter and ask for our help.
“All candidates are welcome to apply. The Abia PDP stays impartial till the convention makes a decision after all candidates have presented their intentions. All prospective presidential candidates are welcome to come and publicly introduce themselves, their platforms, and their plans for Nigeria.
The Abia PDP keeps a close eye on national politics as well as party internal affairs. According to the interests of all of our members and stakeholders, we will formally announce our stance when it is appropriate,” Amah stated.
