Former Nigerian President seeking APC nomination upon switching political parties

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan will run for re-election next year after switching political parties. After five years in power, Mr. Jonathan joined the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), which defeated him in 2015.

On Monday, a supporters’ organization purchased the nomination form on his behalf, continuing the tradition of hopefuls purchasing the form through proxies.

Many Nigerians, particularly those in his old party, the People’s Democratic Party, were taken aback by his choice to run for president with the APC (PDP).

Rumors about his secret defection to the ruling party had been circulating for months, but neither Mr. Jonathan nor his allies had spoken.

Nigeria’s major political parties are scheduled to hold primaries later this month in order to fulfill the electoral commission’s June 3 deadline for submitting candidates for the February 2023 poll.

The nomination papers for the APC cost 100 million naira (about $240,000; £195,000).

Former Lagos state governor Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, and Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi will run against Mr. Jonathan for the party’s nomination.

It is unclear why Mr. Jonathan chose to transfer parties, although there have been rumors that he was dissatisfied with his defeat in 2015 when he allegedly felt betrayed by senior party allies.

If he wins next year, he will only be eligible for one more term, which might entail power returning to northern Nigeria under an unwritten, contentious agreement that swaps power between north and south. Mr. Jonathan is a native of southern Nigeria.

Whoever receives the APC’s nomination for the election will face a tough fight from the PDP.

Its aspirants, including Peter Obi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Rivers state governor Nyesom Wike, are extremely popular, particularly in southern Nigeria.

For the latest International News Follow BOL News on Google News. Read more on Latest International News on oldsite.bolnews.com