The Niger Delta Integrity and Justice (NDIJ) group has declared its opposition to playing a subordinate role in Nigeria’s governance by merely aiming for the vice-presidency.
This statement comes in response to calls for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to select Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri as his Vice-Presidential candidate in the 2027 election.
NDIJ expressed a preference for former President Goodluck Jonathan to run for President in 2027 over Diri being Vice-President. While acknowledging the observation that Governor Diri would complement Atiku well, the group emphasized its distinct plans for the Niger Delta region.
In a statement by its Secretary, George Miriki, NDIJ outlined its agenda for 2027: “Our agenda for 2027 is to produce the President. In as much as we appreciate Diri and his closeness to Atiku, we will work against shortchanging the Niger Delta in 2027. We want to produce the President and our mission is to ensure that the Niger Delta completes its term of eight years at the Presidency.”
The statement further noted, “This time, we are coming stronger with the argument of allowing Jonathan to complete his tenure for the region. Instead of producing a vice-president in Diri, we will prefer a president in Jonathan. He is still loved. And with his global appeal, we believe he will succeed.”
