TheCable

On Wednesday, reports surfaced that former President Goodluck Jonathan had joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Jonathan contested the presidency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 and lost to President Muhammadu Buhari, who is currently in his second term in office.

The former president has, however, been rumoured to be interested in contesting the presidency in the 2023 polls.

The speculations were rife again on Monday when a northern coalition purchased the APC presidential nomination and expression of interest forms for him.

The forms were purchased days after he had asked his supporters to “watch out”, when he was asked if he would contest.

But in a statement issued by Ikechukwu Eze, his media aide, Jonathan had said he didn’t give his consent for the purchase of the forms.

On Wednesday, Jonathan was said to have joined the Bayelsa chapter of the APC.

According to a report by NAN, “a dependable source in Jonathan’s camp” said the former president had registered with the APC at his ward in Otuoke, Bayelsa state.

The source also reportedly claimed that Jonathan is expected to submit the presidential nomination form on Thursday.

“Several bigwigs of the party have also been calling Jonathan to pledge their loyalty and support to the former president,” the source was quoted as saying.

“At least three top African leaders called the former president on the matter. They all urged him to run.

“One of them specifically told him that it didn’t make sense travelling all over Africa settling disputes only to shy away from leadership responsibility in his home country.

“Another reminded him of the implication of failing to put the experiences he garnered as a former Nigerian president and as a continental statesman to good use.”

The former president is, however, yet to formally announce a decision on the matter.