2023: Jonathan’s defection ’ll strengthen APC, says Akpanudoedehe

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday said it would welcome former President Goodluck Jonathan if he decides to join the party.

APC also noted that if the ex-Nigerian leader defects to its fold, it will strengthen the party’s structure.

Jonathan, who emerged as Nigeria’s president after the death of ex-President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on May 5, 2010. After winning in 2011, the PDP chieftain and former Bayelsa state Governor lost his re-election bid to the incumbent occupant of the Aso Rock, President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

Meanwhile, there are speculations that the former President might dump  the PDP for the APC to achieve his presidential aspiration in 2023.

Featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the spokesman of the APC, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe, also said, “I am hearing that for the first time that we are expecting the former President. That will be great news. We will welcome him; that will also strengthen the party”.

When asked if APC would pick Jonathan as its presidential candidate should he join its fold, Akpanudoedehe neither confirmed nor opposed it.

The party’s publicist rather submitted that the APC has a special waiver for new members, including the privilege of contesting for any political office in the country.

His words, “The last National Executive Council (NEC) of the party actually gave a blanket approval to any individual that if you join APC today, it is as if you are a founding member of the party.

“So, anyone who joins today has the same opportunity to run for any office in this party. It has always been so, so I am not speculating”.