Will Jonathan Contest APC Presidential Primary? What The Ruling Party’s Constitution Says

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has been reportedly granted a waiver to contest the upcoming presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Naija News earlier reported that Jonathan was granted the waiver after meeting with the APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, in his Abuja residence twice in one week.

The former Nigerian leader also met behind closed doors with Mamman Daura, the influential nephew of President Muhammadu Buhari, over his presidential ambition.

According to the APC Constitution, it is only the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Working Committee (NEC) of the party that has the power to grant Jonathan a waiver to contest the presidential primary slated for Sunday.

Recall that the APC NEC had transferred its powers to the NWC during the last NEC meeting held at the Tanscorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja last month.

However, the section of the ruling party’s constitution that supports the decision is Section 31.3 of the new APC constitution titled ‘waiver’.

It reads in part, “Subject to the approval of the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee may, in special circumstances, grant a waiver to a person seeking a national party office, who is otherwise not qualified under this constitution if, in its opinion, such a waiver is in the best interest of the party.”