Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed as false reports claiming he was offered ₦500 billion to contest the 2027 presidential election against the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Peter Obi, in a bid to split votes in the South-South. He described the allegation as fabricated and urged Nigerians to disregard it.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has broken his silence over reports alleging that he was offered ₦500 billion to join the 2027 presidential race against Peter Obi.
Reacting through his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan described the claim as entirely false, baseless and designed to drag him into unnecessary political controversy ahead of the next general election.
In the statement, Jonathan’s media office said the publication lacked the basic elements of credible journalism, noting that it failed to identify where or when the former president allegedly made such a claim, who purportedly offered the money or any witnesses who could verify the allegation.
The statement further stressed that Jonathan never received any ₦500 billion offer to contest the presidency against Peter Obi or to divide votes in the South-South geopolitical zone.
His spokesman urged Nigerians to disregard the report completely, warning that election seasons often witness an increase in misinformation and politically motivated falsehoods.
The allegation circulated widely on social media amid increasing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Jonathan has repeatedly maintained a low profile regarding the forthcoming election and has not publicly declared any intention to contest for the presidency.
His media office said attempts to associate him with unverified political plots were aimed at misleading the public and heightening political tension.
Jonathan’s spokesman advised Nigerians to verify sensational political claims before sharing them, stressing that fabricated reports have become more common as elections approach.
He reiterated that the former president has not made any statement suggesting he was offered money to contest the presidency or undermine the chances of any candidate.
Jonathan’s denial has added another chapter to the growing political narratives surrounding the 2027 elections, with political observers expecting more claims and counterclaims as campaigns gradually gather momentum. For now, the former president insists the ₦500 billion story is entirely false and should be disregarded.