The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it cannot accord former President Goodluck Jonathan special treatment if he decided to join the fold.
The party’s scribe, Mr. John James Akpanudoedehe, in a statement on Friday in Abuja, ruled out an automatic presidential ticket to the former leader, saying the party “gives no one special status” to anyone no matter highly placed.
Akpanudoedehe, “All aspirants must undergo the nomination processes outlined by the APC constitution,” he noted, adding that the party only “accord waiver to all new entrants.”
“The All Progressives Congress APC National Executive Committee NEC resolution of 8th December 2020 approved the granting of waivers to persons who have recently joined the party and those desirous of joining the party in the nearest future to contest for positions in the APC and as party flag bearers in general elections.
“By the NEC resolution, new members will enjoy all the benefits and privileges accruable by virtue of their membership of the APC.
“For the record, in my recent television interview reaction to the rumoured plans by former President Goodluck Jonathan to join the APC, my statement was that the NEC resolution was a blanket waiver to ALL new APC entrants, including the interviewee.
“The waiver is definitely not specific to anyone as being misconstrued and misrepresented in some sections. Coming into the party gives no one special status of being an automatic party candidate in any election. All aspirants must undergo the nomination processes outlined by the APC constitution.
“Excerpts of APC NEC 8th December, 2020 resolution: ‘…new members will enjoy all the benefits and privileges accruable by virtue of their membership of the party. So, they will be able to contest for positions in the party.
“They will be able to contest elections without any requirement of being members for a number of years or period of time’.”
