2023: Goodluck Jonathan Looms Large Over APC Ticket As Yaya Bello Picks Party’s Presidential Form

By Akombo Aondona, Abuja

 It is weird but it is true.  The image of former President Goodluck Jonathan continues to cast a large shadow over the presidential ambitions of all aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 For the second time in a little over 24 hours, President Jonathan’s name cropped up on Wednesday, 27th April 2022 as Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State purchased the N100 Million, presidential expression of interest and nomination forms of the ruling APC in Abuja.

   Recall that Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State who declared his interest in the APC presidential ticket gave the caveat that he would drop his ambition for President Jonathan the moment the former president indicated interest in the APC ticket, despite the fact that President Jonathan is still a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

  Reporters took up this curious occurrence of President Jonathan’s name in connection with the APC presidential ticket with Governor Bello at the APC national headquarters while speaking with the media after he secured his forms in order to be eligible to participate in the APC presidential primaries.

     In reaction to this, Bello said: “That is the beauty of democracy. In democracy anybody can support anyone. But I am assuring you that our great party, the APC is a party that has its own ethics, rules and regulations and I know surely that all of these are in my favour and I am not in any way scared of the pedigree of anyone whatsoever.

  “I am confident that I am in the majority. I have the women, I have the youth, I have the people living with disabilities and they are all behind me. I have leaders, I have followers and above all, I have God Almighty.”

   Addressing his own ambition and laying out his vision if elected president, Governor Bello pledged not only to take Nigeria to new heights but also run an administration which would give hope to the entire the Black Race globally.

  Bello expressed confidence that he has the backing of millions of Nigerians to seek the presidency in 2023, adding that what was left now was to consult them on how to move the country forward.

His words: “We give glory to God Almighty the Creator of the universe who has created today and made today a reality. Today I have with me my nomination and expression of interest forms to contest as the presidential standard bearer of this great party, the All Progressives Congress.

  “Today we are happy, Nigerians are happy and the party is happy. Right now what we have ahead of us is the task of canvassing and consulting all party faithful, leaders, stalwarts, members and even all Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.

“Yahaya Bello is coming on the table and restoring hope to Nigeria, Africa as a continent and the entire Black Race across the world. That is the hope we are bringing on board to unite, to secure, and to put our country and its people on the path of progress and prosperity.