NORTHERN NIGERIA LUKEWARM TO JONATHAN'S SECOND TERM

There are mounting odds, in the northern part of Nigeria, against President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term bid, according to a newspaper report.

The Vanguard has reported that less than two months to the general election, the campaign posters of President Goodluck Jonathan are invisible “in many northern states considered crucial for his re-election victory.

According to the newspaper, this development is of great concern to loyalists of President Jonathan.

This sharply contrasted with the northern mood pre-2011 election, when the promotional materials for Jonathan were ubiquitous in virtually all the northern states.

The Vanguard reports stated that now many states appear cautious in openly canvassing support for Jonathan as the sentiments appear to favour Buhari, candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

“The fear in openly identifying with Jonathan, according to competent sources, stems from the fact that some radical elements, who feel disappointed by the present administration’s handling of security challenges in the North-East are on the prowl waiting to unleash violence on suspected backers of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,” reported Vanguard.

“It was learnt that the hoisting of PDP and Jonathan’s posters was being taken with caution in some of the PDP and All Progressives Congress, APC, states in the north because of those radical elements opposed to Jonathan’s return in 2015.

“A top PDP source explained to our correspondent that it was difficult to see many posters of the President even in states controlled by PDP.

“A Northern governor confirmed to Vanguard, yesterday, that most of the people were not keen on re-electing Jonathan and had since switched on their support to Buhari, whom they see as their only hope of returning to the Presidency after many years of remaining at the political periphery.

“If you like, take a tour of the major highways from Yobe to Kano and from Abuja to Kaduna and see how many of the president’s campaign posters are standing,” the governor said.

“There are even those on the street are so angry with anything Jonathan that if they find anyone trying to hoist his posters they would immediately remove or deface them.

“Other radical elements opposed to Jonathan have even warned those working for him in the north to retrace their steps or risk being attacked with their family members.

“I tell you that what is happening in the north since the emergence of Buhari has significantly altered the political fortunes of Jonathan in the North and it is going to be a tougher fight than what obtained in 2011.