Jonathan opens up on 2015 defeat, says  Nigerian politics built on betrayal

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has recounted his experience of betrayal during his unsuccessful bid for a second term in office in 2015.

Speaking on Thursday at the 70th birthday celebration of former deputy governor of Edo state, Mike  Oghiadomhe in Benin, Jonathan said the nation’s political culture is plagued by dishonesty and inconsistency.

“Politics in the Nigerian standard is about betrayals. I have witnessed a lot of betrayal during 2015 election,” he said.

The former president described Oghiadomhe, who served as his Chief of Staff between 2010 and 2014, as one of the few loyal allies he could always rely on.

According to him, “Oghiadomhe is one of the few friends I have who can give out their neck for me… He is one person who will take a bullet on my behalf. For me, he is somebody that you can take his words to the bank. Most politicians, you can not take their words to the bank.”

Jonathan lamented the inconsistency among politicians, saying: “You’ll find it difficult to see somebody who will say the same thing in the morning and say the same thing in the afternoon and in the evening. They will tell you something this minute and the next one hour, they’ll say another.”

The event was graced by several dignitaries, including Senator Adams Oshiomhole, former governors Lucky Igbinedion, Oserheimen Osunbor and Ibrahim Dankwambo, as well as Tom Ikimi and Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN).