Former President Goodluck Jonathan, has urged delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to pick a presidential candidate who can unite Nigeria.
Speaking at the ongoing PDP convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Jonathan also said delegates should pick a candidate who has the pedigree to save Nigeria.
He, however, stated that all presidential aspirants were qualified to bear the party’s flag during the 2019 election but one must be selected, hence the need to pick the best.
He said, “The National Chairman asked me not to come and make a formal speech today but it is only proper for me and the former Vice President to greet members of our party. So, we have come just to do that.
“Of course, we are here because 12 people just spoke to us and one of them will be the next president of this country. For me, I am so confused on the one to vote for because all of them have seen me privately, seen me publicly and spoke to you today.
“There is no one person that knows all of them except myself. I started interacting with most of them from 1998 and 1999 till date. I have worked with all of them and I know them left right and centre.
“I can say that all of them are qualified to rule this country. But among these 12 qualified gentlemen, we are going to select one based on some key criteria. I have always said that the greatest problem we face today in Nigeria is unity. To a point some people ask whether they belong to this country.
“We must select a leader; we must select the next President, a person who can bring Nigerians together. Let’s first save our Nigeria, then, others will follow. They are all qualified. We have to look at it critically.
“One thing that makes me happy is when I remember the good days of the PDP. Yes, we are in the opposition, but today, we have the Senate President. Yes, we are in the opposition, but today, we have the Speaker of the House of Representatives. This is an achievement.
“The number of governors has also increased. It shows that PDP is preparing the pact to takeover power. I thank God for seeing us through. I have had discussions with all of them. I know that if we select one of them, we will help this country move forward.
“They all agreed that once we select that person peacefully, they will all support him and I thank them for that determination in joining us to move the party forward.
“So, once again, on behalf of the Vice President and leaders of our party, we thank you and wish us very joyous convention as we select the best for our country.”
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