Jonathan Can Never Run Alongside El-Rufai – Omokri

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Obiajulu Joel Nwolu

Obiajulu Joel Nwolu is an established writer at africannewstoday.com. He is passionate about African affairs. He loves writing about interesting facts relating to the African continent and enjoys sharing his knowledge with others.

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A former aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has refuted the rumour that Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai will run as his principal’s mate in the 2023 presidential election.

Reports were rife that the All Progressive Congress, APC, was considering offering Jonathan and El-Rufai joint ticket for the 2023 presidential poll.

A source had told SaharaReporters, “There are plans already to pair El-Rufai with Jonathan for 2023. We believe both forces are strong and have goodwill in their regions and are good for the party.”

It was gathered that Jonathan had been under pressure to defect to the APC and run for president in 2023 on the ruling party’s platform.

Recall that some APC stalwarts, including governors, had visited Jonathan at his Abuja residence last November on his 63rd birthday.

The APC team’s visit was led by the Chairman Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee, who is also the acting national chairman of the party, Governor Mai Mala Buni.

According to SaharaReporters, the APC leadership visit to Jonathan was more than a friendly visit or a courtesy call on a former president.

Reacting to the development, Omokri who featured on a Punch virtual interview programme, The Roundtable, on Wednesday said Jonathan has no intention to run for president in 2023.

He said, “They are trying to put that story out there to put pressure as to promote Nasir El-Rufai as a presidential candidate.

“I spoke to former President Jonathan just before this interview. That story is a lie, quote me. Nasir El-Rufai will be the last person if former President Jonathan is thinking of running, of which he is not even thinking of running.”

Speaking on the defection rumours, Omokri said that Jonathan has always been a member of a political party all his life.

“The best judge of future behaviour is past behaviours. Former President Jonathan has been in one party all through his life. He is 63 years old and he doesn’t have that kind of history. He doesn’t have that kind of reputation. To the best of my knowledge, former President Jonathan is not leaving the People Democratic Party, He is a very loyal man just like me,” he said.