Jonathan Rejects The APC’s N100 Million Presidential Form 

He was unaware of the bid and did not approve it.

By Omotayo Olutekunbi

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, now a worldwide Peace Ambassador, has rejected the All Progressives Congress presidential form purchased for him by a group of his northern fans on Monday, May 9, 2022.

After the group’s gesture made headlines, Jonathan’s Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, issued a statement indicating that Jonathan did not authorise the purchase of the form and considered the group’s behaviour to be a “insult.”

“We wish to categorically state that Dr Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorise it,” the statement read in part.

“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.”

There has been considerable speculation in recent months about whether the former President may seek for his old office in the 2023 general elections, and there have been demands for him to do so.

Despite the fact that he is not a member of the APC, speculation has increased in recent weeks, with numerous discussions implying that the global peace ambassador may abandon the Peoples Democratic Party in order to improve his prospects of running for President in 2023.

However, the former President has yet to say if he would run for President or not, or whether he will switch parties.

“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,” Eze said.

“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.”

A Fulani group acquired the APC presidential nomination form and the expression of interest form at the International Conference Centre in Abuja and informed media that they will give the documents to Dr Jonathan.

Members of the Fulani group wore baseball hats with words of support for Jonathan, insisting that the former president is the best candidate to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

Jonathan has stayed mum on his plans for the impending presidential elections in 2023, while rejecting the northern group’s free forms.

Protesters invaded Jonathan’s office in April, urging him to run for president.

Addressing them he 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,” he said at the time.

The Youths Network for Nigeria had given the former president seven days to pick up a nomination form.

Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has stated that Jonathan is unable to run for president because of the constitution.

He was initially elected in 2011, when Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s term ended.

According to the constitution, if elected President again, he may only serve for one four-year term.

In the 2015 presidential elections, President Buhari beat Jonathan.