The dialogue between former President Goodluck Jonathan and certain leaders of the All Progressives Congress for Jonathan to emerge as the party’s presidential candidate has been rejected by support organizations working for the party’s presidential contenders.
In separate interviews, groups loyal to the party’s presidential hopefuls, including the APC National Leader and former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, rejected the consensus plot for the ex-President.
It was also learned that individuals behind the project, as well as several members of the party’s National Working Committee, were concerned that it would fail.
It was learnt that although the plan had been announced, opposition to it was already swelling among members.
Besides Tinubu, Osinbajo, other members of the party in the presidential race include the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello; the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi.
It is also on record that Jonathan had informed some APC leaders that he would only join the presidential race if he was directly endorsed by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).
Top sources in the APC have further revealed that there is a plan by some leaders in the APC and some elements in the Presidency to accede to Jonathan’s request.
A member of the APC National Executive Committee, who confided in one of our correspondents, said all presidential aspirants were aware of the plan to bring Jonathan in as the consensus candidate.
Source: punchng.com