According to report, Nigeria’s governing party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has delayed the vetting of its presidential candidates to May 23 to allow former President Goodluck Jonathan and others to submit candidacy papers after the deadline.
The party has also informed the screening committee that no Presidential candidates will be screened.
The screening was originally scheduled for Sunday but was postponed.
Last Thursday, the party also ended the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms, with the deadline for submission set for midnight on Friday.
Sulaiman Argungu, the APC’s National Organising Secretary, stated on Saturday that the presidential hopefuls’ screening will be moved to May 23.
“The screening for the presidential aspirants, we have so far 28 presidential aspirants.
“As you are all aware, some aspirants have started withdrawing their aspirations. By God’s grace, on the 23rd of this month, those who are left will be screened properly,” he had said.
A party source, however, told Newsmen on Monday that the action was taken to allow Jonathan to submit his nomination and expression of interest forms.
“They did that because they want to give room for Goodluck Jonathan and a few others to submit their forms after the deadline,” the source said.
2023: See When Jonathan Will Submit APC Presidential Forms
“The party has also told the screening committee that they are not to screen Presidential aspirants.”
A Northern coalition had purportedly purchased the APC presidential nomination and expression of interest forms for the former President.
The forms were purchased days after Jonathan had asked his supporters to “watch out” after he was asked if he would contest.
Investigation later revealed that Jonathan had given the Jigawa State governor, Mohammed Badaru, N200 million to purchase the nomination and expression of interest forms for him and also buy for himself, to deceive Nigerians.
Jonathan was said to have already joined the Bayelsa chapter of the APC.
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