Jonathan Set to Attend PDP Convention Despite Purchasing N100m APC's Presidential Form
Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has agreed to attend the National convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), slated for May 29, in Abuja.
According to Sahara Reporters, a top source said this was one of the highlights after the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, visited the former president at his Abuja residence in the Maitama district on Tuesday May 17, 2022.
This development is coming amidst controversies that the former president would seek re-election on the platform of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC).
Recall that on May 9, 2022, the former president who slammed reports that N100m APC presidential nomination forms had been purchased in his name as insulting, later had a meeting with the APC national chairman, Abdullahi Adamu where he reportedly informed the ruling party leader of his ambition.
Reports also had it that the ruling party adjusted its primary elections timetable for Jonathan to have the opportunity needed to partake in the process and that he has been registered as member of the party.
However, Bayelsa State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dennis Otiotio, reacting to the report, said Goodluck Jonathan, is officially not yet a member of the APC in the state, stressing that with the short time available before the APC primaries, Jonathan could only join the APC if he had been formally granted a waiver by the national chairman of the party, Adamu Abdullahi.
A source disclosing the outcome of Ortom’s meeting with Jonathan said; “At the meeting on Tuesday, Jonathan and Ortom met behind closed-door for about 40 minutes. And Jonathan was convinced to remain in PDP.”
Another aide of the governor disclosed that Ortom, who was the Minister of State, trade and investment under the administration of Jonathan, also met with the ex-president to lobby him to attend the forthcoming PDP national convention.
He said; “The party wants to lobby Jonathan to attend the National Convention and work for the PDP ahead and during the 2023 general elections.
“From oga’s (Ortom) body language and excitement, it’s clear that the former president will attend the PDP presidential nomination,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PDP has screened 17 aspirants for its May 29 convention meant to elect the party’s presidential candidate in 2023 elections.
Some of the presidential aspirants are former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; his counterpart, Anyim Pius Anyim; Governor of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal; his Rivers counterpart, Nyesom Wike, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi; and Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom.
Others are businessman, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, former Governors Peter Obi and Ayo Fayose of Anambra and Ekiti States, Chief Sam Ohunabunwa, Dele Momodu, Charles Okwudili, Chikwendu Kalu, Cosmos Ndukwe and Olivia Tarela, who is the only female among the PDP presidential aspirants.
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