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.
The rumour had generated widespread reactions on social media, with many users speculating about Jonathan’s possible return to active politics ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, his camp maintained that the former president has neither declared any intention to contest the presidency nor endorsed any political arrangement linked to the allegation.
Political observers say discussions surrounding the 2027 elections have continued to gather momentum despite the election being several months away, with various political figures frequently linked to unverified claims about potential alliances and candidacies.
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.
