Former President Goodluck Jonathan has described Nigerian politics as dominated by betrayers and liars, saying consistency and loyalty are rare among politicians.
“You find it difficult to see somebody who will say the same thing in the morning and in the evening,” Jonathan said on Thursday at the 70th birthday celebration of his former Chief of Staff, Chief Mike Ogiadomhe, in Benin, Edo State.
He praised Ogiadomhe, a former deputy governor of Edo State, as a loyal and dependable ally.
“I’ve witnessed a lot of betrayals, especially during my 2015 election. Mike is somebody who would take a bullet on my behalf. He is somebody that you can take his word to the bank. Most other politicians, you cannot take their words to the bank. They will tell you something, the next one hour they are saying another,” Jonathan said.
The former president’s remarks come amid calls from prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) figures urging him to contest the 2027 presidential election. Among those pushing for his return are former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, former Minister of Information Prof. Jerry Gana, and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.
However, Jonathan has so far remained silent. In May, his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, publicly declared that her husband would back President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, noting that Tinubu had supported Jonathan’s 2011 victory. She even pledged to campaign alongside First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Close allies of Jonathan insist he will not contest, saying he is committed to his role as a respected statesman and does not want to damage his international image or weaken Southern solidarity. But his cousin, Robert Azibaola, has maintained that Jonathan will join the race.
The birthday celebration was attended by top politicians, including Edo State Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa (representing Governor Monday Okpebholo), former Governor Lucky Igbinedion, another former governor, Prof. Osarhiemen Osunbor, and former deputy governors Rev. Peter Obadan, Pius Odubu and Marvelous Omobayo. Also present was former Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo.
