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APC Criticizes Faction for Distributing Jonathan’s 2027 Campaign Posters in Kano

Published by admin on December 6th, 2024.

APC Criticizes Faction for Distributing Jonathan’s 2027 Campaign Posters in Kano

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday rejected any association with a faction known as Team New Nigeria (TNN), which has flooded Kano city with campaign posters featuring former President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2027 elections.

The ruling party firmly stated that TNN is not a splinter group from the APC, nor are its members recognized within the party at any level.

This statement follows a declaration by TNN five days earlier, where they announced that members were leaving the APC to form a new party aimed at addressing Nigeria’s challenges, such as poverty, hunger, insecurity, and economic turmoil. TNN’s National President, Modibbo Farakwai, revealed at the inauguration of the group’s Kano harmonization committee that they planned to engage 26 million voters nationwide.

On Thursday, the streets of Kano were plastered with posters promoting Jonathan’s potential 2027 presidential run. The posters, seen in key locations like Gyadi-Gyadi/Zoo Road flyover, Kofar Nasarawa, and State Road, carried slogans such as “Team New Nigeria 2027: The Goodluck Nigeria Needs — Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.”

This development stirred conversations about the 2027 presidential race, which is expected to include prominent candidates like Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and President Bola Tinubu. However, attempts to contact Jonathan’s spokesperson, Okechukwu Eze, for a response were unsuccessful.

In 2023, a similar situation occurred when Jonathan’s supporters, without his involvement, obtained nomination forms for him within the APC for the presidential race. Jonathan later claimed he was unaware of these actions.

Meanwhile, TNN has formed a harmonization committee in Kano and is in the process of registering as a new political party with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The group claims to have mobilized over 26 million registered voters across Nigeria and has developed its party structures, including a flag, logo, constitution, and manifesto.

In a comment on the development, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, a founding member of the Arewa Consultative Forum, stated that Jonathan, like any other eligible Nigerian, is free to run for president. He pointed out that Jonathan did not complete his second term after losing to former President Muhammadu Buhari and may view this as an opportunity to finish what he started.

However, the APC reiterated that TNN is not affiliated with the party. Speaking with The PUNCH, Nze Chidi Duru, the party’s Deputy National Organizing Secretary, emphasized that the group’s promotion of Jonathan’s candidacy, despite knowing he is not an APC member, confirms that TNN is not part of the APC.

Duru explained, “If they were legitimate members of the APC, they would know that former President Jonathan is not a member of our party. Even when some individuals purchased a form for him in the last election, the party did not endorse him, and he was not given the ticket. Until Jonathan becomes a member of the APC, we cannot consider him as part of our party.”

He further added, “These actions show that the group is not connected to the APC. If they were interested in forming a separate initiative within the party, they would be welcome, as democracy allows for that. But as long as they are not working within the APC, they cannot be considered members or have any affiliation with us.”