PDP dismisses suggestions Goodluck will defect to APC and stand as its candidate in 2023

NIGERIA’S main opposition the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed suggestions that the recent visit by leading members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to President Goodluck Jonathan will result in him defecting as standing as their candidate.

Last month, some APC governors and party leaders visited Dr Jonathan at his Abuja residence, where it is believed they tried to woo him to join their party. It is believed that the APC top brass want Dr Jonathan to join their party and stand as its presidential candidate in the 2023 elections.

However, the PDP has dismissed the visit as a gimmick, saying Dr Jonathan has no business with the APC. PDP publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, dispelled reports that Dr Jonathan was about to dump the party for the APC ahead of the 2023 elections.

Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State had recently defected to the APC from the PDP, saying more opposition politicians would join the ruling party. However, Mr Ologbondiyan said the PDP was not bothered by Governor Umahi’s defection as well as the recent visit by the APC chieftains to Dr Jonathan’s Abuja residence.

Mr Ologbondiyan added: “Why should we be bothered about people who are working on innuendos and are claiming they are working. Because some governors went to visit President Goodluck Jonathan on his birthday, then, it is concluded that he has joined APC?

“For me, there are many things I cannot say in the public but I want to assure Nigerians that former President Goodluck Jonathan is politically savvy enough to know he has no space in the All Progressives Congress.”

Dr Jonathan was elected president in 2011 and lost to President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC in 2015. His concession call conceding defeat which was first of its kind in the history of the country, endeared him to many within and outside Nigeria.

Since leaving office, Dr Jonathan has been active in his role as the special envoy of the Economic Community of West African States. He is still eligible to run for another four year single term in office and it is believed the APC was trying to adopt him as its presidential candidate for 2023.