Unlike the situation which
presided in the last presidential poll, many states appear cautious in openly
canvassing support for Jonathan given the preponderance of most of their
leaders to throw their weight behind Buhari.
The situation is in
contrast to the pre-2011 season where the promotional materials for Jonathan
had sprung up in virtually all the northern states many months to the
presidential race.
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.
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 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.
But a politician from
Kaduna told Vanguard last night that some posters of Jonathan and Governor
Ramalan Yero in some strategic places in Kaduna but unavailable in many places
suspected to be anti-Jonathan and the PDP.
“What is happening in
Kaduna is that the posters of the President are present in areas that support
Jonathan but you cannot find one in the key areas that are against the PDP and
Jonathan.
“The situation on the
ground here in Kaduna is that it may be very difficult for the status quo to be
maintained,” the Kaduna-based politician said.
Vanguard
who wants continuous blood
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