Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed reports claiming he was offered ₦500 billion to contest the 2027 presidential election against Peter Obi in a bid to split votes in the South-South region.
Reacting to the allegation, Jonathan described the report as false, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to drag him into unnecessary political controversy ahead of the next general election.
Media aide dismisses report as fabricated
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Ikechukwu Eze, the former president’s media office said the publication was entirely fabricated and lacked the basic details expected of a credible news report.
According to Eze, the report failed to state when or where Jonathan allegedly made such a claim, who supposedly offered the money, or provide any witnesses or evidence to support the allegation.
He said the story bore all the hallmarks of fake news designed to mislead the public and fuel political tension as preparations for the 2027 elections gradually gather momentum.
“Jonathan never made such a statement”
Eze urged Nigerians to disregard the report, insisting that the former president was never involved in any alleged plot to contest the 2027 presidential election to undermine Peter Obi or divide votes in the South.
He said:
“Jonathan was never involved in the alleged ₦500 billion offer to divide the South’s votes against Peter Obi in the 2027 general elections.”
He also advised members of the public to verify sensational political claims before sharing them, noting that misinformation often increases during election seasons.
“Nigerians should disregard the report entirely and exercise caution by verifying sensational political claims before circulating them.
“The build-up to every election season often witnesses a surge in misinformation and fake attributions. Such reports should not be mistaken for verified facts.
“Jonathan has not made any statement suggesting he was offered money to contest the presidency or undermine any candidate.”
The former president’s media team maintained that the report is completely false and should be treated as misinformation.
