“I Witnessed a Lot of Betrayal in 2015” — Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has reflected on his 2015 reelection bid, describing it as a period marked by deep betrayal from many within Nigeria’s political class. Speaking in Benin, the Edo State capital, at the 70th birthday celebration of Chief Mike Aiyegbeni Oghiadomhe, Jonathan said the experience exposed the unreliability of several politicians.

He noted that politics in Nigeria often revolves around broken promises and shifting loyalties, stressing that consistency is rare among political leaders. “I have witnessed a lot of betrayal during the 2015 election,” Jonathan said. “You’ll find it difficult to see somebody who will say the same thing in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening. They will tell you one thing this minute and say another the next.”

Jonathan, however, praised Oghiadomhe, his former Chief of Staff between 2010 and 2014, describing him as one of the few trusted allies who stood firmly by him. He said Oghiadomhe was a friend whose loyalty and integrity were unquestionable, calling him someone whose words “you can take to the bank” and “one person who will take a bullet on my behalf.”

The birthday celebration drew several dignitaries, including Senator Adams Oshiomhole, ex-Governors Lucky Igbinedion and Oserheimen Osunbor, former Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, Chief Tom Ikimi, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), and Prof. Izia Ize-Iyamu, Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.