Goodluck Ebele Jonathan's Aide Reacts As He formally Joins APC, accepts 'Gift' presidential nomination forms

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

The drama surrounding the presidential nomination form of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan may continue making headlines untill, he comes out to address it publicly as a fresh report from News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) suggests he has finally decided to run for president in 2023, barely 48 hours after distancing himself from a nomination form procured by a northern group.

It could be recalled that Mr Jonathan had on May 9 rejected presidential expression of interest and nomination forms of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) bought for him by a Fulani group. 

The source, pleading anonymity, told NAN that the former president has also joined the APC formally, having registered at his Otuoke Ward in Bayelsa.

Meanwhile, Mr Jonathan is expected to submit the duly filled forms bought on his behalf on Thursday, the source claims

According to the source, the former president has secured the support of the required number of APC delegates from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“Several bigwigs of the party have also been calling Jonathan to pledge their loyalty and support to the former president,’’ the source revealed.

The source told NAN political correspondent late on Wednesday that some influential African leaders had called Mr Jonathan earlier on Monday to advise him “to contest the election in the interest of Nigeria.

“At least three top African leaders called the former president on the matter. They all urged him to run.

“One of them specifically told him that it didn’t make sense travelling all over Africa settling disputes only to shy away from leadership responsibility in his home country.

“Another reminded him of the implication of failing to put the experiences he garnered as a former Nigerian president and as a continental statesman to good use,” the source added but did not mention the names of the African leaders.

The source cited some of the African leaders as telling Jonathan that Nigeria was passing through challenging times and “needed a unifier like Jonathan at this time’’.

However,a former aide to Jonathan, Reno Omokri while reacting to the latest development , denied the report and also told news platform that his Boss was never in the country. He wrote; 

Dear @nigeriantribune,

I read your story. You reported that former President Jonathan “officially joined the APC on Wednesday, 12th May 2022, in his country home in Otuoke.”

Are you aware that as at May 12, 2022, @GEJonathan was not even in Nigeria?