2023: We didn’t buy form for Jonathan, says CNG

Pan-Arewa socio-political organisation under the aegis of the Coalition of Northern Groups has described as mischievous, reports that it bought forms for former President Goodluck Jonathan for him to pursue his 2023 presidential ambition under the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

The organisation said it was still committed to the search for a competent, credible Nigerian leader with the capacity to justly and fairly take all citizens through and out of the current limitations of the country.

The spokesperson of CNG, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, made the clarification in a disclaimer sent to journalists on Monday night titled: ‘Report that we bought forms for Jonathan mischievous – CNG.’

He said, “The attention of the Coalition of Northern Groups has been drawn to a piece of a deliberately confusing report that has been trending since early evening of Monday, May 9.

“We are particularly worried that the report which purportedly suggests that CNG has purchased the presidential nomination forms for former President Goodluck Jonathan was broadcast by such reputable outlets as the Channels Television.

“We are therefore compelled to make the following clarifications for the benefit of the media and the general public: We have since advanced from being addressed as an obscure Coalition and assumed the status of a proper name, having made a mark as the strongest voice in Northern Nigeria.

“For a very long time, CNG has come to be properly addressed as ‘The Coalition of Northern Groups’ and no longer “A Coalition of Northern Groups’ as featured in the trending report.

“We are aware of the recent proliferation of coalitions across the North and in Nigeria as a whole (mostly out of mischief), but we make bold to say categorically that the Coalition of Northern Groups has never since inception been involved in partisanship not to mention picking a particular candidate and purchasing forms for him.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the CNG is still committed to the search for a competent, credible Nigerian leader with the capacity to justly and fairly take all of us through and out of our current limitations.

“We advise the newborn coalitions to device a means of identification quite apart from the CNG and appreciate the concerns of our followers and supporters who have been calling us for clarification.”