Goodluck Jonathan Denies Being Offered N500bn To Contest Against Peter Obi

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed claims that he was offered N500 billion to run against Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in 2027 elections.

In a statement on Sunday, Jonathan’s Special Adviser on Media, Ikechukwu Eze, described the allegation as “entirely false and baseless”.

Eze said Nigerians should ignore the “fabricated” report which “falsely” quoted Jonathan as claiming that he turned down a N500 billion offer to join the presidential race to divide votes in the South-South region.

According to Eze, Jonathan was never involved in any “N500 billion offer to divide the South’s votes against Peter Obi in the 2027 general elections.”

“The report failed to state where or when Jonathan allegedly made such a claim, who was present or who purportedly made the alleged offer.

“Jonathan has not made any statement suggesting he was offered money to contest the presidency or undermine any candidate,” he said.

He added that the publication had “all the hallmarks of fake news deliberately crafted” to mislead the public and drag Jonathan into unnecessary political debates ahead of the election season.

Eze also pointed out that false reports and misleading claims often increase as elections approach, urging the public to be careful about what they believe and share online.

He urged Nigerians to “disregard the report entirely and exercise caution by verifying sensational political claims before circulating them.”

The claim, which circulated on Facebook on Sunday, alleged that Jonathan rejected a N500 billion offer to contest against Peter Obi.

Meanwhile, there has been growing speculation since May that Jonathan may return to politics by contesting the 2027 presidential election under the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The rumours intensified on May 30 after the faction announced Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

His nomination was later endorsed during a special national convention held at the party’s headquarters in Area 10, Garki, Abuja.

The faction also said it would announce a date to officially present the party’s flag to Jonathan.

However, that ceremony has not yet taken place, even as the July 11 deadline for submitting presidential nomination forms to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) continues to draw closer.

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