Former President Jonathan Shuns PDP Convention Amidst Plans To Join APC

Former President Jonathan has shunned PDP Convention.

Newsone reports that Nigeria’s immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan, who campaigned for a second term under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition party, was conspicuously absent at its national convention on Saturday, October 30, 2021.

This online news platform understands that the PDP National Convention which took place at the Eagles square in Abuja, the nation’s capital, had powerful PDP bigwigs in attendance. The likes of governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, and Senate Minority Leader Enyinnaya Abaribe, among other top party officials and members.

Newsone recalls that former President Jonathan’s media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, released his itinerary, prior to the PDP convention, disclosing that the former President would be in Nairobi, Kenya, for a three-day peace and security event organised by the African Union.

“Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will depart Abuja, on Saturday, for Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, to attend the 12th African Union (AU) High-Level Retreat on the promotion of peace, security and stability in Africa,” the statement said.

Newsone reports that former President Jonathan’s noticeable absence has heightened speculation of talks that he was planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria’s ruling party, where he may get a ticket to contest the 2023 presidential poll.

Although former President Jonathan‘s supporters are goading him to join the ruling party, Mr Jonathan’ deafening silence has continued to fuel rumours that he may be considering the option provided he is guaranteed the candidacy of the presidential ticket in 2023.

In September, a report by The Africa Report disclosed how the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Yemi Akinwonmi, and other party officials went to Jonathan’s residence to talk him out of defecting to the APC.

A month after, the governor of Rivers state, southern Nigeria, Nyesom Wike insisted that former President Jonathan remain with the PDP as his interest would best be served with the party if he intended to run for president in the next political cycle.

Meanwhile, as at the time of filing this report, Newsone Nigeria reports that the media team of former President Jonathan was yet to issue a statement regarding his absence being linked to his reported decision to move to the APC.