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2023: Confusion In APC As Goodluck Jonathan Struggles To Enter Through Back Door

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Confusion is brewing in the ruling All Progressives Congress, especially, in its South-South and South-East zones over the sudden emergence of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the presidential race.

The N100 million nomination and expression of interest forms of the ruling party were reportedly bought for former President Jonathan by ‘Normadic Herders and Almajiris Community on Monday.

Although the Bayelsa-born politician came out to distance himself from the group and their forms, Jonathan, on the same evening, reportedly paid a visit to the National Chairman of the APC and former Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Adamu, at his residence in Abuja.

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Insiders confirmed that the former President was at Adamu’s residence to seek assurance of the party’s support before he decamps from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to APC and make his intention to return to the office again public.

While Jonathan was in the meeting with Adamu, sources privy to their discussions told DAILY POST that although the APC Chairman welcomed the former President to the ruling party, there was absolutely no assurance that he could be handed the party’s presidential ticket.

READ ALSO: 2023: It Would Be Wonder Of The Century If Jonathan Runs For Presidency – Umahi

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Adamu, however, assured the ex-Nigerian leader that there would be a level playing field for all aspirants on the party’s platform during the primaries if he declares.

However, many Nigerians believe that Jonathan or people very close to him actually purchased the forms to beat the deadline for the sale of forms by the APC which actually ended yesterday.

A source from the ruling party said, “Yes, the former President was here at night on Monday but there was absolutely no commitment from the party Chair.

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“What I’m trying to say is that Adamu did not assure him on automatic consensus ticket. Jonathan was specifically at Adamu’s residence to seek assurance on his intention to pick the party’s ticket.

“That’s all I know for now and I can categorically tell you that Adamu welcomed Jonathan to our great party and made him understand that there’s a level playing ground for everyone.”

Another source said that Jonathan had earlier met with President Muhammadu Buhari, where he also sought assurance from the President. However, details of their meeting have remained speculative.

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“I’m aware that Jonathan has been doing some secret consultations among party bigwigs. He met Buhari at the Presidential Villa but I have no idea what the President told him,” the source said.

However, Jonathan’s entrant or what could be seen as appearing in the race for the APC Presidential ticket is reportedly shaking the foundation of the party as some aspirants from the South, especially the South-East and South-South are seeing the move as detrimental to their own aspiration.

Many, among the 23 aspirants of the APC see Jonathan as a strong force and would easily claim the party’s ticket and are unhappy about the move as they also believe that the former President would shortchange the South, having only four years to preside over the country after which he returned power to the North.

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Jonathan is at the moment causing anxiety among other aspirants such as former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, who is widely seen as his political foe.

The Transportation Minister had declared his interest, picked his forms and has been on a nationwide consultation while the likes of Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipreye Sylva and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Senator Godswill Akpabio are also said to be anxious about the development.

Prominent among aggrieved aspirants from the South East is the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who is said to be a long term friend of President Buhari and Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige and the Governor of Ebonyi State. These aspirants have one reason or more to believe that the President would give them the nod.

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READ ALSO: 2023: APC Speaks On Goodluck Jonathan Membership

They feel that the sudden emergence of Jonathan will now reduce the thickness of their chances going by the fact that Jonathan has a special place in Buhari’s heart for giving him the opportunity to see his lifelong dream of ruling Nigeria come to pass in 2015 when he willingly handed over government to him.

A chieftain of the APC in Rivers State and South-South, who would not want to be mentioned, told DAILY POST it was actually a scary moment for all the presidential aspirants in the party.

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According to him, “it is true that Amaechi and others made a huge impact on President Buhari’s becoming the president but Jonathan has a big place in Buhari’s heart.”

“And the aspirants, seeing what is happening now, feel that Buhari may end up endorsing Jonathan because it even favours him as a Northerner.

“But meetings after meetings are going on as some well-meaning elders are trying to make Jonathan understand the gameplan of the North but as you know, it’s a game of interest. It’s Jonathan first before any other individuals but here we expect him to put the interest of the region ahead.

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“Yes, Jonathan’s emergence caused disarray in the camps of some aspirants but some others want to see what the party’s decision would be. They believe that the decision of APC leadership is sacrosanct.

“I don’t know how true but I understand that the Presidency knows about the presidential forms obtained for Jonathan. I don’t want to speculate. And since then, the body language of our politicians here [Old Eastern Region] has slowed down a bit. As I said earlier, they want to see what the party would decide.

“Well, it would be courageous enough for Jonathan to properly enter the race but as a Southetner, I would plead with him to.forget about it .”

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Meanwhile, Jonathan has been warned by some individuals and groups against returning as Nigerian President at the expense of the entire South.

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, had before told Jonathan to shelve the plans of entering the race for the 2023 presidency.

They believe that Jonathan is being used as a tool by Northern APC chieftains, to reduce the number of years the South will stay in power.

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Emmanuel Onwubiko of HURIWA warned the ex-President to avoid such a move, adding that contesting the election would be seen as a betrayal of the Igbo nation.

“So, Goodluck Jonathan should not replay that hatred that they showed to the Igbo after the war because if he accepts to be candidate of APC and become the president, it means he has short-changed the Igbo who gave him their all,” Onwubiko said.

“If he does that, the South-South and the South-East will never have peace or trust each other for life. Because of what happened to us after the war in the 60s, when we lost so many housing assets, they have not been forgotten.

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“So, if he tried a second betrayal by accepting APC’s enticement to become President for only four years, he is doing it because he wants to short-change the Igbos.”

Also, David Umahi of Ebonyi had cautioned Jonathan to avoid embarrassing himself by entering the presidential race.

READ ALSO: An Insult’: Jonathan Rejects APC Presidential Form

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Umahi said on Tuesday that if Jonathan attempts to run for the coveted office of President, it would most likely be regarded as one of the wonders of the century.

According to Umahi, “those prodding Jonathan to run for the presidency, may be plotting to embarrass him politically,” noting that “such ambition does not even align with the programmes of the APC.”

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, while reacting to the purchase of form for Jonathan by the Northern Coalition, told the ex-president not to forget the sacrifices Ndigbo made for him in the past.

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“There is no going back to the 2023 Nigerian President of Igbo stock and anything contrary to it amounts to a denial of equity, fairness, and justice,” Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the organisation’s Secretary, said.

Isiguzoro said “there are frantic endeavors and backstage activities to pitch Ijaws against Ndigbo, a repeat of 1966 gimmicks aimed at the resuscitating the age-long enmity between the two ethnic groups of old Eastern region, which was demolished in 2011 when Igbos adopted Jonathan as our own.”

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FULL LIST: Borno Tops In Voter Online Pre-registrations

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Borno State has recorded the highest number of voter online pre-registrations nationwide as of Week Nine, according to newly released data from the Independent National Electoral Commission on Tuesday.

Out of a total of 8,003,196 Nigerians who completed the pre-registration process, Borno accounted for 826,130 entries, the highest figure recorded across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Osun State follows with 646,580 pre-registrations, while Lagos is next with 604,819. Kebbi registered 581,135, slightly ahead of Kaduna, which recorded 510,490. Ogun is close behind with 510,062, and Kano comes next with 421,941. Kogi also posted high numbers, registering 361,233, while Zamfara and Yobe followed with 304,065 and 292,714, respectively.

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Jigawa added 284,384 pre-registrations, with the FCT recording 228,264. Oyo followed closely with 224,713. Katsina registered 205,933, while Sokoto and Nasarawa posted 209,392 and 183,519, respectively.

READ ALSO:Tinubu Nominates New Minister

Bauchi recorded 181,671, ahead of Delta, which registered 160,188. Kwara contributed 142,084, followed by Cross River with 119,773 and Ekiti with 114,244.

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Imo State recorded 109,245 pre-registrations, with Niger adding 107,153 and Gombe logging 103,150. Plateau followed with 93,963, while Rivers and Adamawa registered 82,840 and 80,556, respectively. Taraba posted 65,684, Akwa Ibom 60,638, Benue 53,747, and Bayelsa 52,957.

At the lower end of the table, Enugu registered 25,541 voters, followed by Ondo with 17,618, Ebonyi with 13,979, Edo with 11,570, and Abia with 11,221, the lowest figure in the country.

Also, INEC announced that a total of 1,710,450 voters have completed their CVR nationwide as of week eight, combining both online pre-registration (956,566) and physical registration (753,884).

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READ ALSO:Acting INEC Chair Outlines Preparations or Anambra Poll

In accordance with Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022, INEC confirmed that registration activities in Anambra State remain suspended until after the governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.

Until recently, states in the South-West, particularly Osun, Lagos, and Ogun, had consistently led the CVR process since the exercise commenced on August 18, 2025.

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However, recent data indicated an uptick in participation from northern states, especially Borno and Kebbi, amid renewed mobilisation campaigns.

It was reported that community-based organisations, religious leaders, and local officials in several northern states intensified sensitisation efforts to boost awareness and encourage eligible residents to register.

 

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Tenebe Fingers Edo APC Chieftains As Plot To Replace Him As Chair Thickens

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Plot to replace Jarrett Tenebe as State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State is gathering momentum going by series of social media posts shared by Tenebe, as monitored by our correspondent.

It was gathered that Senator representing Edo North at the red chamber, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and Minister of Regional Development, Hon. Abubarkar Momoh, are not keen to support Tenebe’s re-election as Edo APC Chairman.

Tenebe’s absence at last week’s empowerment programme of Senator Oshiomhole gave credence to the cold war in Edo North APC.

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However, as the plot to remove Tenebe gathered moment, the Edo APC chair, it was gathered, is fighting back following suspension of Etsako East Ward 9 Chairman of the party, Mallam Adamu Ototobor, who is a loyalist to those opposing Tenebe’s return as APC Chairman.

READ ALSO:By-elections: Edo APC Tackles PDP Over Call For REC, Others Redeployment

The cold war amongst the Edo APC bigwigs became evident when Tenebe, in series of social media posts, made allusion to the plot to replace him as Edo APC Chairman by accusing Momoh of scheming to take control of the Edo APC by working with a ‘dangerous click’.

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Tenebe had said in one of his posts: “Minister of Regional Development, Hon Abubakar Momoh, I have led the party to the best of my ability, I can as well leave the party to you and your dangerous click, there is already a place in history for people like me.” (Sic)

The APC chairman further posted: “I supported you during your House of Representatives election when you were rigged out by this new click.

“If that was a crime, just know that there is a place for people like me and I know that was why I helped you.

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“I encouraged people from other political parties who lost their ways to swell our fold in APC. If that’s my crime, Abubakar Momoh, I will leave the party for you and your new click, just know I am fulfilled.

READ ALSO:Jonathan’s Ex-aide Dumps PDP For APC

In this party, I have lent a voice to those who cannot speak; I have fought for the oppressed, possibly the reason why Momoh and his ‘usl…’ click wants me out.

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“During the last local government council organised by Governor Godwin Obaseki, I traveled with my team on canoe, which could have capsized but this time, Abubakar Momoh was moving from one air condition office to his air conditioned home with his family.
“Today all is set, Jarrett is no longer capable, him and his ‘usel…’, wicked click wants me out. I will leave so that peace will reign.”

Momoh, in his reaction, said Tenebe should be allowed to exhaust himself, adding that he would not join issues with the Edo APC chairman.

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Okpebholo’s Eight-year Tenure Non-negotiable, Says Commissioner

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Edo State Commissioner for Youth, Honourable Charity Amayanvbo, has said that Governor Monday Okpebholo’s eight-year leadership mandate is non-negotiable, describing his administration as one that has rekindled hope and unity among Edo people.

Amayanvbo made the statement in Benin City during a courtesy visit by Comrade Kelly Okungbowa, popularly known as Ebo Stone, founder of the Youth for Youth movement.

According to the Commissioner, both the Binis and Edo youths are solidly behind Okpebholo, whose leadership style, he said, has restored dignity to traditional institutions and reaffirmed respect for the revered Oba of Benin Kingdom.

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READ ALSO:Stop Using Edo Money For Federal Roads, Residents Tell Okpebholo

Governor Monday Okpebholo has restored the confidence of the people in government. He has brought back dignity to our traditional institutions and rekindled the hope of Edo youths. His eight years in office are non-negotiable,” Amayanvbo asserted.

The Youth commissioner commended the governor for what he described as “unprecedented infrastructural strides, especially in Edo South, citing major projects such as the Ramat Park Flyover, the Second Flyover at Adesuwa Road, and the ongoing statewide road rehabilitation as clear evidence of visionary leadership.”

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He also lauded the governor for restoring the authority of the Benin Traditional Council and for his bold call to the Edo State House of Assembly to investigate the Mosium for West Africa (MOWA) projects — a move Amayanvbo described as “transparent and accountable governance in action.”

READ ALSO:Okpebholo, Idahosa Bag UNIBEN Distinguished Service, Leadership Awards

Comparing Okpebholo’s performance with that of his predecessor, former Governor Godwin Obaseki, Amayanvbo remarked that Okpebholo had “done what a Benin man could not achieve.”

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He urged Edo youths to rally around the governor, pledging continued support for his developmental vision aimed at building a greater Edo State.

In his response, Comrade Kelly Okungbowa (Ebo Stone) hailed Hon. Amayanvbo for his fatherly leadership and reaffirmed his movement’s loyalty to the Governor.

He pledged to mobilize Edo youths to deliver a 2.5 million-vote bloc in support of both Governor Okpebholo and President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assuring that the Youth for Youth movement would stand firmly behind the Governor’s “non-negotiable mandate.”

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