Former President Goodluck Jonathan has revealed that he endured betrayal from political associates during his unsuccessful bid for re-election in 2015, describing treachery as a persistent reality within Nigerian politics.
Jonathan made the remarks on Thursday at the 70th birthday celebration of his former Chief of Staff, Chief Mike Aiyegbeni Oghiadomhe, held in Benin City, Edo State. Speaking with candour, he admitted that numerous figures within his political circle turned against him at a pivotal moment.
“In politics, particularly in Nigeria, betrayal is a frequent occurrence. I experienced it significantly during the 2015 election,” Jonathan stated.
The former President, however, commended Oghiadomhe for standing firmly by him throughout his tenure, portraying him as a steadfast and trustworthy ally “who would take a bullet” for him.
Jonathan’s comments revisited a defining moment in Nigeria’s political history, when he lost the 2015 presidential race to General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Buhari secured roughly 15.4 million votes to Jonathan’s 12.8 million in a closely watched election held against a backdrop of mounting public discontent over insecurity, allegations of corruption, and economic challenges.
