Amid speculations that he would contest the 2023 presidency under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, former President Goodluck Jonathan is in Lake Como, Italy.
While his name was even missing from the list of aspirants as the APC begins screening for its presidential aspirants in Abuja today.
Among those expected to be screened today is the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu.
It was learnt that Jonathan left for Italy on Sunday, May 29, 2022.
“I arrived in Milan, Italy, to attend this year’s high-level advisory board meeting of the European Corporate Council on Africa and the Middle East (ECAM Council), holding in the ancient city of Como.
“I am pleased to be part of ECAM Council’s creative engagements toward promoting more productive investment in health, education and other social services in Africa and the Middle East,” Jonathan posted.
Apart from Tinubu and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, others included in the list are Senate President Ahmed Lawan and former ministers Rotimi Amaechi, Ogbonnaya Onu, Godswill Akpabio, and Chukwuemeja Nwajiuba.
Serving governors who are also listed for the screening are Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Ben Ayade (Cross River) and Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa).
Others are former Senate President Ken Nnamani, former House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole and serving Senators Ibikunle Amosun, Ajayi Boroffice, and Rochas Okorocha.
President Buhari’s running mate in 2011, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Uju Ken-Ohanenye, Nicholas Felix, Ahmad Rufai Sani, Tein Jack-Rich, Ikeobasi Mokelu are also expected to face the screening panel.
Earlier, the National Vice Chairman, North-West of All Progressives Congress, Salihu Lukman, said Jonathan is not yet a member of the party.
Meanwhile, a ruling of a Federal High Court had last week declared Jonathan eligible to contest the presidency under the APC.