Former President Goodluck Jonathan has described Nigerian politics as dominated by liars and betrayers, lamenting that it is rare to find consistency among politicians.Jonathan made the remark on Thursday while speaking at the 70th birthday celebration of his former Chief of Staff, Chief Mike Ogiadomhe, in Benin, the Edo State capital.
The former president said it was difficult to find a politician who would maintain the same position in both the morning and evening. He noted that his own political experience, especially during the 2015 general election in which he lost to former President Muhammadu Buhari, exposed him to betrayal from close associates.
Despite his criticism of the political class, Jonathan praised Ogiadomhe as a rare figure of loyalty and reliability. He described the former Edo State deputy governor as someone whose word could be trusted without question. According to him, Ogiadomhe stood firmly by him during difficult times and would even take a bullet on his behalf. He contrasted this with other politicians, whom he accused of frequently shifting positions and failing to keep their promises.
Jonathan’s comments come amid growing speculation about his possible return to active politics ahead of the 2027 elections. Several prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, former Information Minister Jerry Gana, and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, have been urging him to contest for the party’s presidential ticket.
However, Jonathan has so far remained silent on the matter. His wife, Patience Jonathan, stirred controversy in May when she declared publicly that her husband would support President Bola Tinubu in 2027, noting that Tinubu backed Jonathan’s 2011 presidential bid. She even promised to campaign alongside First Lady Oluremi Tinubu in the next election cycle.
This position has been at odds with calls from within the PDP for Jonathan to re-enter the race. Some of his close allies have also dismissed the idea of him contesting again. According to them, Jonathan values his status as a respected statesman on the global stage and would not want to risk damaging his reputation or undermining Southern unity by returning to the political battlefield. One ally was quoted as saying Jonathan would not allow himself to be used to “destroy Southern solidarity.”
Despite these denials, his cousin Robert Azibaola has insisted that the former president will indeed run, adding more uncertainty to the debate over Jonathan’s political future.
The birthday event where Jonathan made his remarks drew a large turnout of political figures. Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa. Also in attendance were former Governor Lucky Igbinedion, under whom Ogiadomhe served as deputy, as well as another former governor, Osarhiemen Osunbor. Other dignitaries included Edo’s deputy governors past and present, such as Rev. Peter Obadan, Pius Odubu, and Marvelous Omobayo, along with former Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dakwambo.
Jonathan’s remarks highlight lingering tensions within the PDP and the broader political environment as Nigeria moves closer to another election cycle. His reflections on betrayal and dishonesty underscore the challenges of trust and loyalty in a political system where shifting allegiances often shape outcomes.
