Lagos — All things being equal, President Goodluck Jonathan will declare his intention to contest the 2011 presidential election, come September after the end of the ongoing Ramadan fasting, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Before now, all we heard were rumours and speculations of the president's intention to run for another four years term next year

To put enough pressure on Jonathan to contest the election, various groups have sprung up almost in all nooks and corners in the country, earnestly asking the president to take a shot at the presidency in 2011.

However, Jonathan had been dodging the question of whether he will run or not. In some occasions, he was quoted as saying that it was early for him to say anything on the election as it would cause a distraction on his present job. According to him, at the appropriate time he will make his intention known.

As the president was keeping his ambition close to his chest, he was jolted by a report on Reuters, quoting an unnamed Presidency source that "Jonathan is considering not standing in elections due next January but will make his intentions known by the end of the month".

According to the report "He is not likely going to run, simply because his party has retained the zoning of the presidency to the North for the next four years," the Presidency source told Reuters, "Though his party said he can run despite the zoning, the party said this because they didn't want to offend him."

This report rattled the presidency which quickly came out with a denial. According to Presidential spokesman, Mr. Ima Niboro, Jonathan was yet to make a commitment.

He said "Our attention has been drawn to a report published by Reuters, quoting 'Presidency' sources as stating that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan may have decided not to run in the 2011 presidential elections after all.

"Information at our disposal indicates that this is a story sponsored by interested parties. Unfortunately, the highly rated global news agency was misled into publishing it.

"The truth is that the president has not said he will not run. Neither has he said he will. At different times he has given clear reasons why he considers it premature, in the interest of governance, to make any commitment both ways.

"At the appropriate time, the president will inform his country men and women of his future plans. Until then, every comment on the subject remains mere speculation."

However, watchers of political events believe that the Reuters report was deliberately planted to pre-empt the president and force him to declare his position on the 2011 presidential contest.

But some supporters of the president were worried after the report was published and they put pressure on him to come out with definite position.

One of them was the chairman, Board of Trustees of Move Nigeria Project (MNP), Dr. Godwin Dabo Adzuana, who forwarded a letter to Jonathan and also copied the Vice President Namadi Sambo, PDP National Chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo and some other PDP leaders

The letter, however advised the president to drop his 'siddon-look' attitude "after the PDP NEC meeting of last Thursday that gave you the green light to run."

According to the letter "Your prolonged silence and ambivalence is now a source of worry for all progressive Nigerians especially your millions of political admirers who are convinced you have the ability to democratically propel the country to the shore of durable economic prosperity and political stability,"

But last week, it was announced that Jonathan will formally declare his presidential intention after muslim Ramadan fasting which ends early next week. Although it was not stated, but the choice of the date was strategic, as it is unholy to play politics during the Ramadan period. This, it was said was aimed at winning the hearts of the Northerners who are predominantly muslim

It was also learnt that Jonathan may come out to declare his interest in the presidency following the submission of the reports of the Political Strategy Committee set up by the president to advise him on what steps to take. The committee report however endorsed Jonathan to run. The report advised Jonathan to quit in 2015 and to support a Northerner to succeed him in the interest of the party's zoning arrangement

The report also advised the president to concentrate on the development of the country through the implementation of a three point agenda namely: Niger Delta, power and free and fair elections.

Last week also, Jonathan finally broke his silence on the issue at a meeting with some Northern politicians who visited him last Saturday.

The politicians, representing the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, said they were at the seat of power to persuade Jonathan to contest in next year's presidential election.

A source at the meeting however revealed that "The president promised that he will finally declare his bid next month, he said latest by September 10, he will make his intention open, having consulted far and wide on the issue."

The group was led by former Ambassador to the US, Alhaji Hassan Adamu (Wakilin Adamawa), Other notable members of the delegation were Deputy Governor of Sokoto State Alhaji Mukthar Shagari, former minister Professor Jerry Gana, former governor of Kano State Alhaji Musa Kwakwanso, former FCT minister Alhaji Abba Gana, Senator Bala Mande, Senator Bello Gaddah, FCT minister Senator Bala Mohammed, former PDP chairman, Chief Solomon Lar, among others.

However analysts believe that the real politicking will commence as soon as Jonathan declares his intention to run next month.