Former President Goodluck Jonathan has denied reports claiming he was offered N500 billion to contest against the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the 2027 general election.
Jonathan, through his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Ikechukwu Eze, described the allegation as false, baseless and a deliberate attempt to drag the former president into unnecessary political controversy.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Eze dismissed reports alleging that Jonathan disclosed receiving a N500 billion offer to challenge Obi in a bid to split votes in the South-South region.
He noted that the publication failed to provide essential details expected of a credible report, including when and where the alleged statement was made, who purportedly made the offer, or any witnesses to support the claim.
According to Eze, the report bears all the hallmarks of fabricated news designed to mislead the public and heighten political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He stressed that Jonathan was never involved in any alleged plot or financial inducement to contest the presidency against Peter Obi.
The media aide urged Nigerians to disregard the report and verify sensational political claims before sharing them, warning that misinformation often increases as election campaigns approach.
“The build-up to every election season often witnesses a surge in misinformation and fake attributions, and such reports should not be mistaken for verified facts,” Eze said.
He added that Jonathan has never made any statement suggesting he was offered money to contest the presidency or undermine any presidential candidate.