APC Berates Faction Flooding Kano With Jonathan’s 2027 Posters

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has distanced itself from Team New Nigeria (TNN), a factional group responsible for flooding Kano with posters promoting former President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2027 presidential election. The ruling party firmly disclaimed any association with the group, emphasizing that its members were neither recognized nor affiliated with the APC at any level.

APC Denounces Team New Nigeria’s Activities

In a statement issued on Thursday, APC officials reiterated that Team New Nigeria did not emerge from its fold. This comes five days after TNN announced plans to form a new political party aimed at rescuing Nigeria from poverty, hunger, and insecurity. At the inauguration of its Kano State harmonization committee, TNN’s National President, Modibbo Farakwai, boasted of mobilizing 26 million voters nationwide.

Reacting to the posters, the APC Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, stated, “If they were genuine members of the APC, they would know that former President Goodluck Jonathan is not a member of our party. This group’s actions further validate that they have no affiliation with the APC.” He clarified that the group’s efforts were outside the party’s democratic framework, reinforcing that Jonathan’s alleged candidacy was baseless.

Campaign Posters Spark Speculation

The sudden appearance of Jonathan’s campaign posters at strategic locations in Kano, such as the Gyadi-Gyadi/Zoo Road flyover, Kofar Nasarawa, and State Road, fueled widespread speculation about his return to the political stage. The posters featured slogans like, “Team New Nigeria 2027; The Goodluck Nigeria Needs — Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.”

While the development sparked discussions about the 2027 presidential race, prominent figures like Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and President Bola Tinubu are also expected to contest. Efforts to reach Jonathan’s spokesperson, Okechukwu Eze, for comments were unsuccessful, leaving many to wonder about the former president’s stance on the posters and the group behind them.

Jonathan’s Alleged Role and TNN’s Aspirations

This is not the first time Jonathan has been linked to an APC-related campaign. During the 2023 elections, supporters procured APC nomination forms for him, a move he claimed to be unaware of. Similarly, TNN has made significant strides in establishing its political presence, boasting of essential structures, including a constitution, manifesto, flag, and logo, as it seeks registration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

TNN’s efforts to recruit voters and its assertions of having mobilized over 26 million registered voters demonstrate its ambition. Despite this, APC stalwarts, such as Nze Chidi Duru, maintain that the faction’s association with Jonathan is a strategy to distract from the ruling party’s agenda.

Mixed Reactions to Jonathan’s Alleged Candidacy

Opinions remain divided over the possibility of Jonathan contesting in 2027. Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, a founding member of the Arewa Consultative Forum, supported the idea, noting that Jonathan, like any qualified Nigerian, has the right to run for office. “Jonathan did not complete his second term, and this is an opportunity for him to do so,” Yakasai said.

However, the APC has consistently dismissed TNN’s legitimacy, asserting that the group operates outside the party’s structures. The party insists that any valid political move within its ranks must come from genuine members. For now, the controversy surrounding TNN’s campaign for Jonathan highlights ongoing factional tensions within Nigeria’s political landscape.

Broader Electoral Landscape and Speculations

The emergence of Jonathan’s campaign posters adds another layer of complexity to the already dynamic 2027 presidential race. Prominent political figures such as Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and incumbent President Bola Tinubu are expected to be significant contenders, making the political environment increasingly competitive and unpredictable.
Despite multiple attempts, efforts to obtain an official response from Jonathan’s spokesperson, Okechukwu Eze, were unsuccessful, leaving room for further speculation about the former president’s political intentions.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the APC’s decisive rejection of TNN’s initiatives and the mysterious campaign posters highlight the intricate and often unpredictable nature of Nigerian electoral politics.