Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed reports claiming he was offered N500 billion to contest the 2027 presidential election against Peter Obi in a bid to split votes in Nigeria’s South-South region.
The former president made the clarification through a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Ikechukwu Eze, describing the claim as entirely false and a calculated attempt to draw Jonathan into unnecessary political controversy.
The rumour, which circulated widely on social media, alleged that Jonathan revealed he had been offered N500 billion to enter the 2027 presidential race to weaken the electoral chances of Peter Obi. However, Eze said the report was fabricated and lacked the basic elements of credible journalism.
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 be deliberately designed to mislead the public, fuel political speculation, and heighten tensions 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 disregard the report and verify sensational political stories before sharing them, noting that misinformation and fake quotations often become more common as election campaigns approach.
“Jonathan has not made any statement suggesting he was offered money to contest the presidency or undermine any candidate,” he added.
Background
Speculation over the 2027 presidential election has intensified in recent months, with political realignments and discussions about possible candidates already dominating public discourse despite the election being more than a year away.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, has repeatedly been the subject of rumours linking him to future presidential contests, although he has not declared any intention to seek office.
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, remains one of the country’s most prominent opposition figures and continues to command significant support, particularly among young voters and in parts of southern Nigeria.
As preparations for the next election gradually gather momentum, political observers have warned that false reports and misinformation are likely to increase, making fact-checking and verification essential for both the media and the public
