Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has vehemently denied a media report alleging that he was offered a staggering ₦500 billion to contest the 2027 presidential election against National Democratic Congress candidate Peter Obi in a bid to split votes in the South-South geopolitical zone. In a statement issued on Sunday, 5 July 2026, by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan described the publication as "entirely false and baseless," dismissing it as a deliberate fabrication designed to mislead the public and drag his name into unnecessary political controversy.
Eze, speaking on behalf of the former president, categorically stated that Jonathan had never been approached with any such offer nor participated in any meeting, discussion, or arrangement relating to the alleged ₦500 billion plot. He stressed that since leaving office in 2015, Jonathan has consistently maintained a non-partisan and statesmanlike posture, dedicating his efforts to promoting peace, good governance, and credible democratic processes both within Nigeria and across Africa. "The report is entirely false and baseless. Former President Goodluck Jonathan has neither been approached with nor discussed any such offer. Those behind the publication are merely attempting to drag his name into partisan political activities through deliberate misinformation," Eze stated.
The media aide sharply criticised the publication, pointing out that it failed to meet the most basic standards of journalism. He noted that the report, which he attributed to a "little-known website," did not indicate where or when Jonathan allegedly made such a claim, who was present, or who purportedly made the alleged offer. "The report failed to state where or when Jonathan allegedly made such a claim, who was present or who purportedly made the alleged offer," Eze said, adding that the publication bore all the hallmarks of fake news deliberately crafted to mislead the public and drag the former president into unnecessary political controversy. He warned that the spread of unverified information could erode public trust and undermine democratic values, urging media organisations and members of the public to verify politically sensitive claims before publishing or sharing them.
The denial comes amid heightened political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections, as political realignments and strategic calculations intensify across the country. The South-South region, Jonathan's home geopolitical zone, is considered a critical battleground with a substantial voting population. The allegation that Jonathan could be used as a spoiler candidate to split votes in favour of another political camp has fuelled speculation about the former president's political ambitions. However, Eze reiterated that Jonathan had not made any statement suggesting he was offered money to contest the presidency or undermine any candidate, and he urged Nigerians to disregard the report in its entirety.
This is not the first time Jonathan has been linked to the 2027 presidential race. Since leaving office in 2015, the former president has maintained a relatively low political profile, focusing on international mediation and democratic advocacy through the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation. However, his name has periodically surfaced in political circles, with some groups calling on him to return to the presidential race. Jonathan has consistently avoided direct commentary on his political future, leaving room for speculation. The latest denial suggests that he remains wary of being drawn into partisan battles that could compromise his reputation as a statesman and elder statesman.
The allegation of a ₦500 billion offer to split votes also highlights the growing concern over the role of money in Nigerian politics. With the 2027 elections approaching, political parties and candidates are expected to spend heavily on campaigns, raising fears about vote-buying and electoral manipulation. The Independent National Electoral Commission and civil society organisations have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of campaign finance laws to curb the influence of money in politics. The denial from Jonathan's camp comes as a retired High Court judge, Justice Alabama Omolaye-Ajileye, warned that critical amendments to the Electoral Act 2026 might have reopened loopholes that electronic voting reforms were designed to eliminate. The retired jurist accused the National Assembly of creating an internally contradictory legal framework that insists on technology for voter accreditation but permits a return to manual procedures for the transmission and collation of results.
As the 2027 election season gathers momentum, misinformation and fake news are expected to proliferate, making it increasingly difficult for voters to distinguish fact from fiction. Eze acknowledged that election periods often witness a surge in misinformation and false attributions, but he stressed that such reports should not be mistaken for verified facts. He called on Nigerians to exercise caution by verifying sensational political claims before circulating them. "Jonathan has not made any statement suggesting he was offered money to contest the presidency or undermine any candidate," Eze reiterated.
The former president's media aide reaffirmed Jonathan's commitment to national unity, democratic consolidation, and the peace of the country, insisting that he would not be distracted by unfounded allegations aimed at damaging his hard-earned reputation. Any official position or statement from the former president would only be communicated through his authorised channels, Eze added, urging Nigerians to disregard the publication in its entirety. For now, Jonathan has made his position clear: the ₦500 billion vote-splitting allegation is a fabrication, and he has no intention of being drawn into a political controversy that could undermine his legacy as a statesman committed to the unity and stability of Nigeria.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments