Former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday denied authorising any group to purchase the presidential nomination form of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for him.
Jonathan who made the denial in a press statement issued around midnight had, however, met with the chairman of the party, Mr. Abdullahi Adamu, between 9pm and 10pm.
The meeting further fueled speculation about the former president’s likely defection to the APC.
Jonathan, in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, said he was not aware of the purchase of the form.
“It has come to the notice of His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, that a group has purportedly purchased Presidential Nomination and expression of interest forms, of the All Progressives Congress (the APC), in his name.
“We wish to categorically state that Dr. Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorize it.
“While we appreciate the overwhelming request by a cross-section of Nigerians for Dr. Jonathan to make himself available for the 2023 Presidential election, we wish to state that he has not in any way, committed himself to this request.
“We thank the general public for their concern, as we continue to encourage citizen participation in the affairs of the country.”
Before the rebuttal by the former president, one of his former aides, Mr. Reno Omokri, said it would be difficult to shave the head of a person in his absence.
He tweeted: “First of all, to whet your appetite, let me say that under the rain and under the sun, I will follow Jonathan.
“Secondly, I can’t ever be one with APC. Thirdly, nobody can shave HE @GEJonathan’s head in his absence. Read between the lines. More to come!”
Meanwhile, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has denied that it obtained the APC presidential form for Jonathan.
It said it did not and will not buy any form for any candidate contesting the 2023 general elections.
The association said it has far higher needs for money to assist its members than buying forms for politicians.
National secretary of MACBAN, Mr. Baba Ngelzarma, in a statement in Abuja said the association will support a candidate who shows commitment to end the suffering of its members after the conclusion of party primaries.
“The attention of MACBAN has been drawn to a trending story in which we are being quoted as having bought a presidential nomination form for former President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2023 elections.
“We wish to make it clear that MACBAN did not and will not buy any form for any Candidate contesting elections.
“MACBAN does not see any gain in this kind of profligate enterprise that adds no value to the million of our members who are wallowing in poverty as a result of banditry, cattle rustling and the dastardly activities of self appointed vigilantes who for all intent and purpose are committed to executing genocide.
“We believe politics should be left to politicians, we see no mileage in supporting any politician when we are overwhelmed by the crisis being faced by our members Nationwide.
“We call on the media to take their time to understand the difference between the various Fulbe organisations and avoid dragging us into political mud,” he said.
xxxxxxxxxxx
Putin warns against another ‘global war’ on Russia’s Victory Day
Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday warned against another world war.
Putin gave the warning during a military parade marking the anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
“Besides commemorating those who had defeated Nazism, it was important to stay vigilant and to do everything possible to ensure that the horrors of global war are not repeated,” he said.
Putin said fighting for Russia’s security was taking place today in the Donbass in eastern Ukraine.
He justified Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with NATO activities in the country.
He said Russia has pre-emptively repelled the aggression that was the only right decision.
He added that Moscow had repeatedly tried to reach an agreement for an international security solution.
The president said NATO had ignored Russia’s arguments and started to open up Ukrainian territory militarily.
There is no evidence for Putin’s repeated claim of an imminent Ukrainian attack on Russia.
In the past, NATO has participated in military exercises in Ukraine and trained Ukrainian soldiers.
But, concern Ukrainian officials urged citizens to heed air raid sirens and stay in bomb shelters amid fears that Russian attacks would intensify.
The fear rose as Moscow marked the anniversary yesterday.
Putin told troops they were fighting for Russia’s security now.
Russia’s intervention in Ukraine was needed because the West was “preparing for the invasion of our land, including Crimea”, Putin said, referring to the Black Sea peninsula Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014 and giving no evidence for his assertion.
