Former President Goodluck Jonathan has denied reports claiming he was offered N500 billion to contest the 2027 presidential election against Peter Obi, describing the story as false and misleading.
The denial was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Jonathan’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Ikechukwu Eze, who said the report making the rounds on social media was fabricated and aimed at dragging the former president into unnecessary political controversy ahead of the 2027 elections.
Eze explained that Jonathan never made any statement about receiving or being offered N500 billion to join the 2027 presidential race in order to divide votes in Nigeria’s South-South region. He said the publication lacked credibility because it failed to provide details of when or where the alleged statement was made, who made the supposed offer, or any evidence to support the claim.
According to him, the publication failed to state when or where Jonathan allegedly made such a remark, identify those who supposedly made the offer, or provide any witnesses or evidence to support the claim.
He added that the story appeared to have been deliberately created to mislead the public, fuel political speculation, and increase tension ahead of the 2027 general election.
“Jonathan was never involved in any ‘N500 billion offer to divide the South’s votes against Peter Obi in the 2027 general elections,’” Eze stated.
He urged Nigerians to ignore the report and verify political stories before sharing them, noting that fake news and false quotations often become more common as elections draw closer.
“Jonathan has not made any statement suggesting he was offered money to contest the presidency or undermine any candidate,” he added.
Political discussions surrounding the 2027 presidential election have continued to grow in recent months, with speculation over possible candidates and political alliances dominating public conversations.
Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, has repeatedly been linked with future presidential contests, although he has not indicated any intention to run for office again.
Obi, who was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, remains a leading opposition figure with strong support, particularly among young Nigerians and in parts of southern Nigeria.
Political analysts have warned that as preparations for the next general election gather pace, the spread of misinformation and unverified reports is likely to increase, making fact-checking and responsible reporting more important than ever.
