Lagos — Within the last two weeks, attention has been set on the caliber of persons spearheading the mobilisation of Nigerians to President Goodluck Jonathan's cause.

As expected, President Goodluck Jonathan will declare his interest to contest in next year's presidential elections on or after September 10, 2010. Meaning the declaration will come immediately after the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

In the build up to that date, various pro-Jonathan groups have been strategizing with a view to selling their candidate to the Nigerian public. The huge number of the groups has not surprised pundits considering the fact that in Nigeria, incumbents seeking fresh mandate have an army of associations driving their ambition. Insinuations in some quarters indicate that many of those groups are in the project for what they will gain, not necessarily because they believe their principal is the best option for the country.

With the level of political awareness now in the country and the flourishing 'business' of cash and carry politics, the numbers of groups calling for the President to run have swell astronomically. At the last count, there are close to 2000 of such groups who have spread their tentacles to all parts of the country.

Attempt by the Goodluck Support Group (GSG) to coalesce all the groups and associations into one campaign organization have so far not yielded the desired results. Leader of the group and a former Presidential aide, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak is now overseeing the amalgamation of the groups, along with former Minister of Sports Alhaji Samaila Sambawa.

Interestingly, some of the groups share the same names and operate in like manner. To show the hastiness with which they were set up, many share the same name with discredited associations linked to past dictators like General Sani Abacha. The most prominent group drumming support for Abacha was the Daniel Kanu-led Youths Earnestly Ask for Abacha (YEAA). In the Jonathan's camp, there is the Youth Earnestly Ask for Jonathan (YEAJ) group.

In some instances, as seen in some states of the federation in the past, many of the groups are funded from government coffers; as such they have access to vast resources which their opponents cannot afford. In the case of Jonathan, it is not yet clear whether such groups get resources from the government or not. In the short time since he assumed the presidency, their number has grown at an astronomical rate, thereby raising the stake as the country prepares for elections next year.

Investigation however shows that some of the groups are being sponsored by Jonathan's close allies, including Ministers, former Governors, government officials and senior aides in the Presidency. The question many observers are asking is whether the president would be able to control all these groups if and when he decides to declare for the exalted office.

What would happened if he wins the Presidential elections is not clear, given the fact that most of the personalities behind these associations are seen as 'investors', investing their resources, after which they expect to reap benefits. Many are also wondering if such kind of political jobbers would ever allow the President to concentrate on governance if he goes ahead to emerge victorious in the general elections.

Analysts believe that Jonathan's silence on whether he would run or not amount to buying time as well as promoting sycophancy. Added to that, some of the political bigwigs who were apostle of Abacha's ill-fated ambition have been seen also canvassing for the President.

However, despite the array of such groups, inside sources reveal that those who will actually lead the president's campaign are members of his inner cabinet, possibly to be led by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

Others expected to be in the forefront of the president's campaign include Chiefs Tony Anenih and EK Clark, Alabo Tonye Graham Douglas, Professor Jerry Gana, Chief Solomon Lar, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Alhaji Hassan Adamu, Senator Isaiah Balat and Dr. Shem Nuhu Zagbayi.

Others are Oronto Douglas, Senator Bala Muhammed, Col. Bala Mande (rtd), Senator Bello Gada, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, Ambassador Matthew Mbu, Alhaji Mukhtar Shagari and Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

But can these set of people deliver the goods for Jonathan? If past antecedents of members of the group are anything to go by, then they have a herculean task if they are to outwit experienced politicians and war veterans like Atiku Abubakar and Ibrahim Babangida.

Many Nigerians consider their outing during the zoning debate as not satisfactory. This is because they allowed the pro-zoning elements to take the lead which resulted in the PDP NEC retaining the controversial formula despite clamour for it to be abandoned.

Similarly, many pundits balme the president's handlers for allowing the goodwill he enjoys when he took over as Acting President in February to fizzle away. In particular, many blame the likes of Clark, Graham Douglas and Anenih for turning the president's campaign into a South-south affair, thereby alienating other parts of the country.

As for Lar and Gana, they more or less succeeded in turning the campaign into a Christian affair, with many Muslims in the far North not fully convinced that their interests will be protected in the new endeavour.

Now that the president is set to declare, the thinking in many circles is that he will run a campaign based on his antecedents as a nationalist, a new breed politician, and one who represents the much-touted generational change the country needs.