By KEMI KASUMU
Barely 24 hours after an unnamed Nigerian figure was reported in The DEFENDER warming the handlers of All Progressives Congress (APC) against fielding Goodluck Jonathan as presidential candidate for 2023 election, the party has responded.
It said there will be no automatic ticket for the former President to contest, adding that all new members of the party would be granted waivers to run for various offices in the party including the 2023 general elections.
In a statement on Friday in Abuja, Secretary of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Sen John James Akpanudoedehe said his Channels Television interview on Wednesday 15 did not say only Jonathan would be granted a waiver in the event he defects to the party.
According to the statement, all new members of the APC would enjoy the benefits and previleges accruable by virtue of their membership of the party.
“The APC National Executive Committee (NEC) resolution of 8th December, 2020 approved the granting of waivers to persons who have recently joined the party and those desirous of joining the party in the nearest future to contest for positions in the APC and as party flag bearers in general elections.
“For the records, in my recent television interview reaction to the rumoured plans by former President Goodluck Jonathan to join the APC, my statement was that NEC resolution was a blanket waiver to all new APC entrants, including the interviewee.
“The waiver is definately not specific to anyone as being misconstrued and misrepresented in some sections.
“Coming into the party gives no one special status of being an automatic party candidate in any election. All aspirants must undergo the nomination processes outlined by the APC constitution,” the party said.
The DEFENDER had reported on Thursday 16 September, 2021 a stakeholder warning that it will be an insult should APC say of its over thousand quality members, it has no presidential material other than Goodluck Jonathan.
He added that making Jonathan Nigeria’s next President is to hand Nigeria and its economy back to his wife, Patience Jonathan, who, according to him, was the one in charge during which the Federal Government under her husband failed and pushed the country to near collapse.
He said Patience, whose strong ally is Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, will come back to deal a big blow on APC and destroy it.
