Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has officially refuted claims that he was offered N500 billion to contest the 2027 presidential election. The initial reports alleged the funds were intended to split the South-South regional vote against Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Clarification and Response

Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Ikechukwu Eze, the former president dismissed the rumors as entirely fabricated and groundless. The statement emphasized that the allegations were a malicious attempt to involve Jonathan in unnecessary political controversy ahead of the upcoming election cycle.

According to the media aide, the circulated report lacked the fundamental elements of credible journalism. It failed to specify the time or location of the alleged disclosure, identify the individuals who supposedly made the financial offer, or provide any corroborating witnesses.

Call to Public Vigilance

The statement characterized the report as deliberate misinformation aimed at misleading the public and generating political friction. The public has been urged to completely disregard the claims and to thoroughly verify sensational political reports before sharing them.

The briefing concluded with a general warning regarding the typical rise of fake news and false attributions during the buildup to election seasons, reiterating that Jonathan has made no statements regarding financial offers or campaigns against any candidate.