Presidential poll: Clergyman urges APC aspirants to step down for Jonathan

By TAIYE AGBAJE

An Abuja-based clergyman, Prize Aluko has advised all the presidential aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to step down for former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the forthcoming primary.

Aluko, the senior pastor of the Resurrected Assembly, an arm of Glorious Outreach Ministry (GROM), stated this on Monday in Abuja.

He said with Jonathan as APC presidential candidate, the ruling party would win the 2023 General Elections.

According to him, going by the divine mandate of God, no matter who emerges as presidential candidate from other political parties, the APC will still maintain its winning streak in 2023 with Jonathan as its presidential candidate.

The cleric said based on the divine revelation, the former president, with the authoritative will of God, is the best for the party.

He appealed to other aspirants of the party to withdraw for Jonathan and allow the will of God to be accomplished.

They include APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; and immediate past Transportation Minister, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi.

The APC’s special convention for presidential primary is scheduled to take place between June 6 and June 8.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jonathan has said that he would not seek reelection on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform in the 2023 elections.

Mr Ikechukwu Eze, the former president’s spokesman, said in a statement on May 10 that the former president who held power under the People’s Democratic Party, between 2010 to 2015 did not authorise the purchase of the nomination forms, a requirement for candidates to take part in primary elections.

Jonathan rejected the N100 million worth APC presidential nomination forms bought for him by a group known as Association Fulani/Almajir.

The group had stormed the Abuja International Conference Centre, venue for the sale of APC nomination forms Monday night and obtained the documents for the former president to run for the exalted. (Adapted from a NAN report)