Amidst controversy over his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his interest in the 2023 presidential election, former President Goodluck Jonathan has travelled to Dakar, Senegal.

The former President arrived Senegal on Tuesday to attend a dialogue on democratic principles.

Jonathan confirmed the trip on his social media handles.

He said: “My team and I in Dakar, Senegal, to attend a Dialogue on Sustaining Democratic Principles in the ECOWAS sub-region organised by the West African Elders Forum (WAEF).

“We thank officials of the Senegalese Government and staff of the Nigerian Embassy for the warm reception and look forward to a fulfilling outing.”

WAEF comprises of former presidents and statesmen “who will provide mediation and interlocutory role in addressing electoral and democratic conflict in the region including the current disruptions occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.”

The forum was officially inaugurated on the 4th of March 2021.

2023: Jonathan distances self from APC presidential forms

A Fulani group made up of pastoralists and Almajiri communities reportedly purchased N100 million Expression of Interest and Nomination forms of the APC for the former president on Monday.

Jonathan has distanced himself from the procurement of the forms. But the former president on Monday night visited the residence of APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, in Abuja.

There are reports that one of the northern governors obtained the APC presidential forms for Jonathan.

The Star