Goodluck Jonathan shuns PDP convention amidst plans to join APC
Nigeria’ former President Goodluck Jonathan who campaigned for a second term under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was conspicuously absent at its national convention on Saturday.
The event which took place at the Eagles square in Abuja had powerful PDP bigwigs in attendance. The likes of governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, and Senate Minority Leader Enyinnaya Abaribe, among other top party officials and members.
Prior to the convention, the former President’s media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, released his itinerary, disclosing that Mr Jonathan would be in Nairobi, Kenya, for a three-day peace and security event organised by the African Union.
“Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will depart Abuja, on Saturday, for Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, to attend the 12th African Union (AU) High-Level Retreat on the promotion of peace, security and stability in Africa,” the statement said.
However, Mr Jonathan’s noticeable absence has heightened speculation of talks that he was planning to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) where he may get a ticket to contest the 2023 presidential poll.
Although the former president’s supporters are goading him to join the ruling party, Mr Jonathan’ deafening silence has continued to fuel rumours that he may be considering the option provided he is guaranteed the candidacy of the presidential ticket in 2023.
In September, The Africa Report noted how Yemi Akinwonmi, the acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other party officials went to Mr Jonathan’s residence to talk him out of defecting to the APC.
In October, Peoples Gazette reported how Rivers state governor Nyesom Wike insisted that Mr Jonathan remain with the PDP as his interest would best be served with the party if he intended to run for president in the next political cycle.
Efforts by Peoples Gazette to extract a statement from the former president’s spokesperson failed as Mr Eze’s phone remained unreachable as at the time of publishing this report.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Hot news Home top
Husband pays ‘hired killer’ $1,720 advance to murder his wife, mother-in-law
The aggrieved husband wanted his wife killed because she planned to file for divorce.
Anti-Corruption
Agricultural firm Scoular to pay over $10 million to resolve foreign bribery case
Scoular employees communicated about shipments and bribes. In total, Scoular authorised bribes of more than $400,000 and avoided fees and costs of more than $6.5 million.
States
FRSC mobilises stakeholders against overloading in Sokoto
The zonal commanding officer in charge of Zone 10, Shaba Bariam-Akanbi, inaugurated the three-day exercise on Monday in Sokoto.
Africa
ECOWAS approves appointment of new officials
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved new appointments to its strategic statutory positions and specialised institutions for 2026 to 2030.
States
Two persons killed in Ogun motorcycle, truck collision
Two people died on Monday in a crash involving a motorcycle and a Dongfeng pickup truck at Koto-Ajala, inbound Owode, in Obafemi Owode council area of Ogun.
Economy
Banking, insurance shares lift stock market by N2 trillion
The Nigerian stock market gained N1.756 trillion on Monday, driven by sustained buying in banking, insurance and industrial stocks.
