Drawing former President Goodluck Jonathan into the 2023 presidential race by paying for his presidential aspiration form is an insult to his person, his media aide, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze has said.
Eze said in a statement that “buying a presidential aspiration form in the name Dr. Jonathan without his consent, knowing the position he had held in this country, is considered an insult to his person.
Media reports had said a group of supporters of Fulani extraction and Almajiri, led by Ibrahim Abdullahi picked the expression of interest and nomination forms for the former president.
However, Ani said “It has come to our notice that a group has purportedly purchased Presidential Nomination and Expression of Interest forms, of the All Progressives Congress APC, in the name of former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
“We wish to categorically state that Dr. Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorize it.
“We wish to categorically state that Dr. Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorize it.
“We want to state that if the former President wanted to contest an election, he would make his intentions clear to the public and will not enter through the back door.
“While we appreciate the overwhelming request by a cross-section of Nigerians, for Dr. Jonathan to make himself available for the 2023 Presidential election, we wish to state, that he has not in any way, committed himself to this request.
“Buying a presidential aspiration form in the name Dr. Jonathan without his consent, knowing the position he had held in this country, is considered an insult to his person. The general public is therefore advised to disregard it.”
The Punch had reported that the All Progressives Congress (APC), received N100m for the presidential form of ex- President, disclosing that the APC Collection Account domiciled with Heritage Bank was credited with N100m.
“The account number of the party with the commercial bank was stated as 5600007616.
“Heritage Bank, in a letter dated May 9, 2022, and obtained by The PUNCH, notified APC of the receipt of the amount.
“The account number of the party with the commercial bank was stated as 5600007616.
“Heritage Bank, in a letter dated May 9, 2022, and obtained by The PUNCH, notified APC of the receipt of the amount.
“The bank’s letter was addressed to APC National Organising Secretary and was co- signed by Heritage Bank Regional Head in Abuja, Daniel Oniko; and the bank’s Experience Center Manager, Isaiah Ediae.
“The letter was titled, ‘Notification of Credit Into Account: All Progressives Congress (APC) Collections Account: 5600007616.
“It read, “We write to confirm that your subject account has been credited with the sum of N30,000,000.00 (Thirty Million Naira Only) being Expression of Interest form for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for Presidency.
“Please take this as a credit advice of the transaction in this regard.
“A second letter also from the bank informed APC of the receipt for the Nomination Form for Jonathan, the paper stated.
Source: Grassroots Today