Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, has rejected the presidential form of All Progressives Congress purchased for him on Monday by a group of northern supporters.
Dr Jonathan’s Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, said this in a statement hours after the news broke that the group had bought the form for him.
Recall that a coalition of northern groups purchased the APC presidential nomination form and the expression of interest form at the International Conference Centre in Abuja on Monday, informing journalists that it was for Jonathan.
Read Also: Northern Coalition Purchases APC Presidential Form For Goodluck Jonathan
Reacting, Eze said his principal did not authorise the purchase and consider the move by the group ‘an insult’.
He expressed;
We wish to categorically state that Dr Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorise it. We want to state that if the former President wanted to contest an election, he would make his intentions clear to the public and will not enter through the back door.
Read Also: Women, Youths March For Goodluck Jonathan’s Return In 2023
In recent months, there have been increased speculations about whether the former President will run for his old post in the 2023 general elections as there have been several calls for him to do so.
Some weeks ago, a group made of men, women and youngsters stormed the Abuja office of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, urging him to declare for 2023 presidential race.
They arrived at the office in four buses and stormed the Taraba Close, Maitama office of Jonathan to appeal to him.
The supporters argued that the former President has the template to restore Nigeria’s pride of place and give all Nigerians a sense of belonging.
Read Also: “Watch Out” – Goodluck Jonathan Responds To Calls To Declare 2023 Presidential Bid
Addressing the crowd, Jonathan told them to “watch out”.
He had said;
Yes, you are calling me to come and declare for the 2023 presidency, yes I can’t tell I am declaring; the political process is ongoing, just watch out.
Although he is not a member of the APC, speculations have intensified in recent weeks that he is set to switch from the Peoples Democratic Party to contest for President in 2023.
However, the former President is yet to state whether he would contest or not, neither has he spoken about the possibility of switching parties.
Speaking further, Eze stated;
While we appreciate the overwhelming request by a cross-section of Nigerians, for Dr Jonathan to make himself available for the 2023 Presidential election, we wish to state, that he has not in anyway, committed himself to this request.
Buying a presidential aspiration form in the name Dr Jonathan without his consent, knowing the position he had held in this country, is considered an insult to his person. The general public is therefore advised to disregard it.
If elected as President again, Jonathan can only serve for one term of four years, according to the constitution.
He was first elected in 2011 after completing the tenure of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. However, President Buhari defeated him in the 2015 presidential elections.
