Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed reports alleging that he was offered ₦500 billion to contest the 2027 presidential election against Peter Obi, describing the claim as completely false and fabricated.
The allegation, which gained traction on social media, claimed that unnamed political figures approached Jonathan with a massive financial offer to enter the presidential race in a bid to weaken Peter Obi's support, particularly in Nigeria's South-South region. However, the former president's camp has firmly denied the report.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan said he never made such a claim and was never involved in any discussion about receiving money to contest the presidency.
According to Eze, the report lacked the basic elements of credible journalism, including details of where or when Jonathan allegedly made the statement, who made the purported offer, or any witnesses to support the claim.
He described the story as "entirely false and baseless," insisting that it was deliberately fabricated to mislead Nigerians and drag the former president into unnecessary political controversy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The media aide further stressed that Jonathan has not granted any interview suggesting he was offered money to challenge Peter Obi or undermine any presidential hopeful.
Eze urged Nigerians to disregard the viral report and exercise caution before sharing politically sensitive information circulating on social media, noting that misinformation and fabricated stories often increase as election seasons approach.
The clarification comes amid growing political speculation over the 2027 presidential election and repeated rumours linking Jonathan with a possible return to active politics. Although various reports and political groups have mentioned his name in recent months, the former president has yet to officially declare any intention to contest the next presidential election.
Jonathan's camp maintained that attempts to associate him with unverified political narratives are misleading and capable of creating unnecessary tension within the country's political space.
The denial has generated widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians calling for greater caution in verifying political reports before sharing them across social media platforms.
The controversy also highlights the growing challenge of misinformation ahead of the 2027 elections, as political observers continue to warn against the spread of fake news capable of influencing public opinion.
Sources: Reporting by Punch Newspapers, Arise News, PM News Nigeria, and other credible Nigerian media outlets.
