On Thursday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) denied any ties to a group called Team New Nigeria (TNN), which recently flooded Kano with campaign posters for former President Goodluck Jonathan, promoting him for the 2027 elections.
The APC firmly stated that the faction is neither affiliated with the party nor recognized at any level. This denial comes shortly after TNN announced plans to break away from the ruling party to form a new political group aimed at addressing Nigeria’s challenges, including poverty, hunger, and insecurity.
TNN’s Plans
The group’s National President, Modibbo Farakwai, claimed during the inauguration of its harmonization committee in Kano that they were targeting 26 million voters nationwide. A few days later, the streets of Kano were filled with posters of Jonathan, sparking debates about his potential return to politics.
Prominent locations such as the Gyadi-Gyadi/Zoo Road flyover, Kofar Nasarawa, and State Road displayed posters with messages like “Team New Nigeria 2027: The Goodluck Nigeria Needs — Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.”
The appearance of these posters intensified discussions about the 2027 presidential race, where figures like Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and President Bola Tinubu are anticipated to contest.
Efforts to get a response from Jonathan’s spokesman, Okechukwu Eze, yielded no results. However, this situation echoes the 2023 elections when supporters purchased APC nomination forms for Jonathan without his approval.
TNN claims to have mobilized over 26 million registered voters across Nigeria and has established a political framework, including a flag, logo, constitution, and manifesto. The group is also reportedly working to register as an official political party with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Prominent northern elder and Arewa Consultative Forum member, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, expressed that Jonathan is free to contest for the presidency like any other eligible Nigerian.
“Jonathan didn’t complete his second term, as he lost to Muhammadu Buhari. This could be his chance to finish his tenure,” Yakasai noted.
APC’s Stance
Despite these developments, the APC has maintained that TNN members are not part of the ruling party. In an interview, the party’s Deputy National Organizing Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, criticized TNN’s actions, labeling them as inconsistent with APC’s principles.
Duru emphasized that Jonathan is not a card-carrying member of the APC, and the printing of his campaign posters further proves that TNN is independent of the party.
“Even during the last election, when a group bought APC nomination forms for Jonathan, he was not considered, as he wasn’t a party member,” Duru explained.
He added, “If they were genuine APC members, they would understand that collaboration with non-members, especially someone like Jonathan, contradicts our party’s policies.”
Duru clarified that while APC welcomes internal initiatives from its members, any such effort must align with party rules. He stated, “If they are within the APC and want to explore new ideas, they are welcome. Democracy allows for diverse opinions. But acting outside APC’s structure excludes them from being recognized as party members.”
Conclusion
The APC has made it clear that it has no connection to TNN or their campaign for Jonathan. While the political scene heats up ahead of 2027, questions remain about Jonathan’s role and the credibility of groups like TNN.
For now, the APC insists that it is focused on its agenda and will not entertain actions from factions operating outside its structure.
