The news of a likely participation of former President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in the upcoming 2023 presidential elections has set tongues wagging over the last few weeks. While some people think his experience governing Nigeria and ensuring peace in troubled African regions makes him Nigeria’s best bet if the nation is to live up to its standards of being the giant of Africa, others think Nigeria needs a fresh mind.
What we know
- The chairman of APC in Ogbia ward 13, Mr Igori Freeman, disclosed that the former President, Dr Jonathan, defected from his official party, PDP, to the ruling party, APC, in 2019.
- Several groups in the country have called on the five-year President to declare interest in the 2023 presidential race. In April 2022, protesters stormed the private office of the former president in Abuja to convince him to join the 2023 presidential race. Dr Jonathan, in his address, told the protesters to ‘watch out’.
- On Monday, a northern group known as Nomadic Pastoralists and the Almajiri Communities led by one Ibrahim Abdullahi purchased the APC’s N100 million forms for the former president. Dr. Jonathan media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, in a statement on Monday categorically stated that the former president was not aware of the bid neither did he give consent.
State of play
With the ears of Nigerians itching to know the stance on Dr Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential ambition, the former President has neither officially denied nor accepted a participation in 2023 elections.
Meanwhile
Today, May 12th 2022 marks the deadline for the submission of nomination forms for any political position under the All-Progressive Congress, APC.