…Jonathan rejected the presidential form
The All Progressive Congress has raked -in over N2.5 billion as revenues from presidential aspirants aiming at becoming the president of the country in 2023. The list of those to that would still pick up the form is not exhausted yet as more party loyalties are still expected to come
The Senate President Ahmed Lawan along with the governor of Cross Rivers State, Ben Ayede and Timipre Sylva, minister of State for Petroleum Resources on Monday joined the crowd of Presidential aspirants on the platform of All Progressive Congress APC to pick the N100 million presidential tickets.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has reportedly rejected the offer of a Presidential form allegedly purchase for him by Mayatti Allah
Lawan was formally presented with the N100 million Expression of Interest and nomination forms purchased for him by a group of Nigerians led by the Chairman, the National Stability Project, Ambassador Sam Nkire.
Presenting the forms, Ambassador Nkire said Lawan was seen as a stabilising personality needed to be the next President of Nigeria.
He said: “This is a representation of Nigerians been led by me, Sam Nkire. We have politicians here, we have businessmen here, we have a representation of traditional rulers, professionals who have watched Nigeria and they think we need a stabilizer, a stabilizing personality and they looked round and said you must be the one.
“That is why the rich ones among us contributed more than the poor ones. But the widows mite of the poor ones is also here. So we have decided to purchase the form.
“We didn’t want to come first. We made sure we got the form for you to heed the calls of Nigerians who have seen your service to the motherland, who have seen how you have piloted the affairs, and they know the economic situation we have in terms of security, that you are one of the best that Nigeria has.
“Please we are here to handover the nomination forms for the position of president of Nigeria on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.”
In his acceptance speech, Lawan said that he had consulted widely and promised to play the game by the rules.
“Today is a special day and this moment is a very memorable and historic moment. Over the last seven years, we have been participants in the administration of our country at the national level.
“The APC-led administration, our president, President Muhammadu Buhari will be completing his tenure on the 29th of May, 2023. I want to pay special tribute to what Mr President and the APC administration have done so far for developing our country.
“I have listened to various calls from all parts of our dear country, our dear nation Nigeria, for me to show interest to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I took my time to pray to almighty God to guide me. I took my time to consult very widely, consult Nigerians from all parts of the country to ensure that I get the understanding of the citizens of this country on whose behalf we will, by the Grace of God, win the election and run the administration.
“Nigeria needs to be taken to the next level. We know what we have been able to achieve as an administration and as a political party and we know where we are supposed to take this level to eventually.
The Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade’s form was said to have been bought by a group of supporters and given to him in Abuja
Ayede had declared his interest to run for the office of the President in April, this year.
On receiving the form, he said he has governed his State well and is capable of replicating the successes he recorded as Governor to the nation.
However, Sylva, who received his form bought by a support group in Abuja, explained that he needed to consult his constituency and the leaders of the country before he takes a final decision on whether he will contest or not.
He said: “I feel very honoured and humbled for the show of love and this show of commitment not to me, but to Nigeria. I have tried my best since I was appointed by Mr. President to this office to do my service to Nigeria
“But to realise that my efforts have been noticed by you Nigerians and that you Nigerians by yourself will go and take the trouble of obtaining the nomination and the expression of interest forms for me is very humbling. And I must also say it was very shocking at the same time.
“I’m very happy and pleased by this gesture. So what I will do now, I will not give you a straight answer right now. But I’m really thankful for what you have done because I need to consult. I need to consult my constituency and consult leaders of this country, and then I’ll come back to you to let you know if I have taken the position also to run for this office.
“I thank you very much. So, you’ll give me a very short time. I will start right away with the consultation. I will go to my leader, for example, the Ijaw leader, sir Clark.”
The Presidency: Full List Of APC Presidential Aspirants Who Have Bought N100m Form 1. Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu 2. Prof. Yemi Osinbajo 3. Rotimi Amaechi 4. Sen. Godswill Akpabio 5. Dr Ogbonnayo Onu 6. Sen. Chris Ngige 7. Sen. Rochester Okorocha 8. Sen. Ibikunle Amosu 9. Pst. Tunde Bakare 10. Comr. Adams Oshiomole 11. Prof. Ben Ayade 12. Gov. Dave Umahi 13. Dr. Kayode Fayemi 14. Emeka Nwajiuba 15. Sen. Ken Nnamani 16. Yahaya Bello 17. Sen. Orji Kalu 18. Gov. Badaru 19. Godwin Emefiele 20. Ahmed Sani Yerima 21. Ajayi Borriface 22. Mrs Uji Ohnenye 23. Pst. Nicholas Felix Nwagbo 24. Dimeji Bankole 25. Yanusa Nuhu Ometo The Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Ben Ayede and Timipre Sylva.
Olusola Bello
