Jonathan remains only masterstroke for APC in 2023, says group

• Urges ruling party not to muff its chance of retaining power
• South-West group drums support for Al-Makura as chairman

An Ibadan-based group, the Initiative for Ethics and Values Orientation, has said only former President Goodluck Jonathan can return the All Progressives Congress (APC) to a winning streak in the 2023 polls.

In a statement made available to The Guardian by the Principal Partner at the Initiative, Isiaka Kehinde, the group said the former President is the face of national unity, explaining that APC should not muff the chance of returning him to power.

The group said if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not provide its umbrella to cover Jonathan to return him to the seat of power, APC could be a good alternative.

According to the group, with the requisite skills and wealth of experience, Jonathan has honed over time and his innate traits, returning the country to its balmy days will not be a hard nut to crack.

IN another development, the National Committee of APC Support Groups for Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura (NACASA) has declared that only a candidate of tested and proven integrity can lead the ruling APC to victory in the 2023 general elections.

Consequently, it declared its unflinching support for the former Nasarawa State governor as Chairman of the APC in the forthcoming convention of the party.

The NACASA South-West Co-ordinator, Abike Oluderu, made the call in Akure, yesterday while addressing journalists on the need to choose Al-Makura as the next national chairman of the party.

She said the NACASA’s National Chairman, Ifeanyi Ezedinma, had been motivational in giving required support, leadership and encouragement at ensuring that NACASA’s aims and purpose were not defeated.

Oluderu noted that voices within the party had agreed on adopting Al-Makura, saying: “Our decision to do this was not far-fetched based on his track records, credibility, love for his people and integrity.”

“Our party, APC, deserves a leader that has human feelings and is passionate about the transformation and development of the country.

“We, therefore, call on all APC stakeholders to adopt Al-Makura as a consensus candidate for APC national chairman.”