…Politics in the Nigerian standard is about betrayals – Jonathan.
BENIN CITY, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | Former President Goodluck Jonathan has broken his silence on the political undercurrents that led to his loss in the 2015 presidential election, describing the experience as one riddled with betrayal and broken promises.
Speaking in Benin City, Edo State, at the 70th birthday celebration of his former Chief of Staff, Chief Mike Aiyegbeni Oghiadomhe, Jonathan offered rare insight into the emotional and political turbulence of that period.
“Politics in the Nigerian standard is about betrayals,” Jonathan said. “I have witnessed a lot of betrayal during the 2015 election. You will find it difficult to see somebody who says the same thing in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening.”
Jonathan, who lost his re-election bid in 2015 to then-opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari, has largely refrained from public commentary on the defeat. His remarks in Benin suggest lingering disillusionment with key political actors in his former circle.
He praised Oghiadomhe who served as his Chief of Staff from 2010 to 2014, as one of the few allies who remained steadfast during challenging times. “Oghiadomhe is one of the very few who would go to any length for me,” the former president added.
The timing of Jonathan’s remarks has sparked renewed speculation about his political future. Rumours have intensified in recent months about a possible return to the ballot in the 2027 presidential election, possibly under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform. While he has neither confirmed nor denied the speculation, his increasing public appearances and political commentaries have not gone unnoticed.
As the 2027 race begins to shape up, political observers believe Jonathan’s reflections could be a subtle signal of deeper political re-engagement.
For now, however, the former president appears more focused on legacy, loyalty, and lessons learned, particularly from one of Nigeria’s most contentious elections.
