Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan may be seeking a return to office in 2023 after nomination forms to contest the APC presidential primaries were bought on his behalf by a Northern group.
This means that Jonathan may have joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that defeated him in 2015 after five years in power.
A group of pastoralists and Almajiris led by Ibrahim Abdullahi picked the expression of interest and nomination forms for the former President.
The supporters’ group bought the nomination form on his behalf on Monday, continuing the trend of aspirants using proxies to purchase the form.
Sources in Heritage Bank confirmed that a payment of N100 million payment was made on behalf of the ex-president for Nomination Form and Expression of Interest Form in two tranches on Monday.
Jonathan’s decision to enter the race with the APC has come as a huge surprise to many Nigerians, especially those in his former party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
For months, rumours had swirled over his secret defection to the ruling party but neither Jonathan nor his associates confirmed the move.
However a few weeks ago, Jonathan, who spoke on his entrance into the race when some women and youths stormed his office to persuade him to contest the 2023 presidential election, said the process of joining was in progress.
Nigeria’s main political parties are expected to hold their primaries later this month to meet the election commission’s dateline of June 3 for the submission of their candidates for the February 2023 election.
Jonathan will face opposition for the APC’s ticket from the likes of former Lagos State governor Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi and possibly, the Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele among many other contenders.
Jonathan is only eligible for one more term if he wins next year which might mean power returning to northern Nigeria in an unwritten, controversial arrangement that alternates power between north and south.
Whoever gets the APC’s nomination for the election will expect a stiff contest from the PDP.
Its aspiring candidates such as former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra Governor Peter Obi and Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike are hugely popular, especially in southern Nigeria.
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