Jonathan Denies ₦500 Billion Offer to Split South-South Votes

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has denied a media report claiming he was offered ₦500 billion to contest against Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

The report, which the former president’s media team described as false, alleged the offer was made to split votes in the South-South region.

In a statement on Sunday, Jonathan’s Special Adviser on Media, Ikechukwu Eze, said the publication lacked basic journalistic standards and appeared designed to mislead the public.

Eze noted that the story did not specify where or when Jonathan allegedly made such a claim, who was present, or who supposedly made the offer.

“The report failed to state where or when Jonathan allegedly made such a claim, who was present or who purportedly made the alleged offer,” Eze said.

He described the report as fabricated and urged Nigerians to disregard it.

Eze said the approach of the political season often brings an increase in misinformation and called on Nigerians to verify sensational claims before sharing them.