‘According to the report, Dr. Jonathan was quoted as saying he rejected a ₦500 billion offer to contest against Obi in order to weaken the former Anambra governor’s support base in the South-South region’
By Chucks Nwonye
The former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has dismissed as “entirely false and fabricated” a report circulating online that claimed he was offered ₦500 billion to run for president against the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi with the aim of splitting South-South votes.
In a press statement obtained by our correspondent, Jonathan’s spokesperson, Dr. Ikechukwu Eze, said the publication by a little-known online outlet, Igbo Times Magazine, bore no credibility and was designed to drag the former leader into unnecessary political controversy as the country inches toward another election season.
According to the report, Dr. Jonathan was quoted as saying he rejected a ₦500 billion offer to contest against Obi in order to weaken the former Anambra governor’s support base in the South-South region. The claim quickly gained traction on social media platforms, sparking debate and renewed speculation about Jonathan’s political intentions ahead of 2027.
Reacting, Dr. Eze described the story as a “baseless fabrication lacking even the most basic standards of journalism.” He pointed out critical omissions in the article that, he said, exposed it as fake news.
“The report failed to state where or when Dr. Jonathan allegedly made such a claim, who was present, or who purportedly made the alleged offer,” Eze said. “A credible publication would provide those details. This one provides none, because the entire story is concocted.”
He added that the article bore “all the hallmarks of fake news deliberately crafted to mislead the public” and to insert the former President’s name into a divisive political narrative he is not part of.
Dr. Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s President from 2010 to 2015, has largely stayed out of partisan campaigns since leaving office. He has instead focused on international peace building, election observation missions across Africa, and his foundation’s work on democracy and conflict prevention.
Eze noted that the timing of the publication was not accidental. “We acknowledge that the approach of the political season often brings a surge in misinformation and false attributions,” he said, adding that: “This is one of such attempts to test the public space with sensational claims.”
He urged Nigerians to disregard the Igbo Times Magazine report “in its entirety” and to exercise caution before sharing politically charged content online.
“In an era of rapid digital dissemination, the responsibility to verify sensational claims before sharing them lies with all of us,” the statement read.
Political analysts say the incident reflects a growing trend of using the names of influential former leaders to drive engagement and shape narratives online. Targeting Jonathan, who remains respected across regional and party lines, they argue, is a tactic aimed at provoking ethnic and regional conversations around electoral strategy.
As of press time, Igbo Times Magazine had not issued a retraction or provided evidence to support its claims.
Dr. Eze reiterated that Dr. Jonathan has made no such statement, has not been approached with any ₦500 billion offer, and remains committed to promoting peace and democratic stability rather than partisan division.
