Former President Goodluck Jonathan will not be vying for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket as his name was not listed among aspirants for screening.
Chroncile NG reports that there have been rumours that the former President is the ‘anointed’ candidate to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari after some groups in the north of Nigeria acquired the N100 million expression of interest and nomination forms for him.
Although he denied knowing the group, there have been stronger rumours after he met with the APC national chairman, Abdullahi Adamu and a nephew of President Buhari, Mamman Daura.
But a list of 23 aspirants that will be screened for the presidential primaries appears to have put all rumours to rest as his name was visibly absent.
APC spokesperson, Felix Morka, had said 28 presidential forms were purchased but that not all of them returned their forms.
Three persons who did not return their forms are Labour Minister, Chris Ngige; Petroleum Minister of State, Timipre Sylva and controversial governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
A N100m form was purchased for Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), but he distanced himself from the contest stressing that he was focused on his current job.
On the list for the APC presidential screening are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Rotimi Amaechi, Governor Yahaya Bello and Governor Abubakar Badaru.
Others are Governor Dave Umahi, Senator Ken Nnamani, Governor Kayode Fayemi, Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Governor Ben Ayade.
Hon. Chukwuemeja Nwajiuba, Senator Robert Boroffice, Uju Ken-Ohanenye, Nicholas Felix, Gbolahan Bakare, Ibikunle Amosun, Ahmad Sani, Dimeji Bankole, Godswill Akpabio, Rochas Okorocha, Tein Jack-Rich, Ogbonnaya Onu and Ikeobasi Mokelu complete the list.
