BREAKING NEWS: Jonathan blames betrayal for 2015 electoral loss

File Copy: Former President, Goodluck Jonathan

 Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday linked his electoral loss in 2015 to betrayal within his political circle.

Jonathan, who was seeking a second term re-election at the time, lost to the candidate of the then newly formed All Progressives Congress, Major General Muhammadu Buhari.

Ahead of the official announcement of the poll results by the Independent National Electoral Commission, Jonathan conceded defeat by pulling a call through to Buhari to congratulate him as the winner of the poll.

The Bayelsa politician later explained that he conceded defeat to avoid bloodshed in the country. On Thursday, during the 70th birthday ceremony of a former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Chief Mike Ogiadomhe, Jonathan recalled the 2015 episode, linking his loss to betrayals.

Describing Ogiadomhe, who once served as his Chief of Staff, as a loyal ally, Jonathan said loyalty was a rare thing in the Nigerian political space.

The ex-President said, “I became President, then post-Presidency, one of the few friends who would give up their necks for me is Mike. You know politics in the Nigerian standard is about betrayals.

“You find it difficult to see somebody who will say the same thing in the morning and in the evening. I’ve witnessed a lot of betrayals, especially in my 2015 elections, and Mike is somebody who would take a bullet on my behalf.

“He is somebody that you can take his word to the bank, but most other politicians, you cannot take their words to the bank. They will tell you something, the next hour they are saying another.”

Also speaking at the event, Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, who represented Governor Monday Okpebholo, said he found a role model in Ogiadomhe, and he was building on the foundation the septuagenarian laid as a former deputy governor.

Other dignitaries at the event included former governors Lucky Igbinedion, Professor Osarhiemen Osunbor, Adams Oshiomhole and Ibrahim Dakwambo of Gombe State.

Also in attendance were former Edo deputy governors such as Rev. Peter Obadan and Pius Odubu, and Marvellous Omobayo.

The state’s Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, and the  Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, who led other members of the Assembly,  were also present.

In his own remarks, Igbinedion said he had no reservations about handing over the affairs of the state to Ogiadomhe as his deputy governor when he needed to travel abroad.

On his part, Oshiomhole said whenever he discussed politics with Ogiadomhe, he always told him that wherever Jonathan is, is where he would be.

He also commended the celebrant’s wife, Lousia, for being a dependable wife.