Abuja – Former President Goodluck Jonathan has distanced himself from the purported purchase of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination and expression of interests form by a northern group.
Peionews recalls that on Monday evening, the media (both electronic and online) was awash with news that Jonathan has joined the race for the 2023 presidential election under the platform of the APC after the northern group procured one hundred million naira (N100m) nomination and expression of interests form for him.
But Jonathan in a swift reaction via statement signed by his Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, made available to Peionews correspondent, said he was not aware of this bid and did not authorize it.
The statement reads in full:
Re: PURPORTED PURCHASE OF APC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION FORM FOR FORMER PRESIDENT JONATHAN
It has come to the notice of His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, that a group has purportedly purchased Presidential Nomination and Expression of Interest forms, of the All Progressives Congress (the APC), in his name.
We wish to categorically state that Dr. Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorize it.
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 any way, committed himself to this request.
We thank the general public for their concern, as we continue to encourage citizen participation in the affairs of the country.
Ikechukwu Eze
Media Adviser to H.E. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.