US House of Representatives launches Probe into Christian Genocide in Nigeria.

The United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa will hold a public hearing on Thursday, November 20, 2025, to scrutinise President Donald Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged religious freedom violations.

The session, slated for 11 a.m. in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building and streamed live online, will be chaired by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), a long-time advocate on global religious liberty issues.

According to an invitation issued to members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, the hearing will convene two panels. The first panel will feature senior officials from the US Department of State, including Jonathan Pratt, the Senior Bureau Official for African Affairs, and Jacob McGee, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.

A second panel will include prominent voices from religious and policy organisations, among them the Director of the Centre for Religious Freedom, Ms. Nina Shea; Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Makurdi Catholic Diocese; and Ms. Oge Onubogu of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

The review will assess the scale of religious persecution in Nigeria and explore possible US responses, ranging from targeted sanctions to humanitarian assistance and increased cooperation with Nigerian authorities.

Trump’s Hardline Position
President Trump reignited debate on October 31, 2025, when he returned Nigeria to the CPC list, a designation that paves the way for sweeping punitive measures against foreign officials implicated in religious repression. In a strongly worded statement the following day, he alleged that Christians in Nigeria were facing an “existential threat,” claiming thousands had been killed by Islamist extremists.

“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria,” Trump warned. “We may very well go into that country ‘guns-a-blazing’ to completely wipe out the terrorists committing these atrocities.”

He also directed the US “Department of War” to prepare for possible intervention, saying any strike would be “fast, vicious, and sweet.”

How Tinubu blamed Jonathan for killing of Christians in 2014.

As allegations of an ongoing ‘Christian genocide’ in Nigeria intensify, a 2014 statement from President Bola Tinubu condemning former President Goodluck Jonathan for failing to protect Christian worshippers has resurfaced, drawing sharp parallels to criticisms now leveled at Tinubu’s administration.

In January 2014, Tinubu, then an opposition leader, lambasted Jonathan over attacks by Boko Haram in Borno and Adamawa states that targeted Christian communities.

“The slaughtering of Christian worshippers is strongly condemnable. It calls into question the competence of Jonathan to protect Nigerians,” Tinubu stated at the time.

By April 2014, amid escalating violence including the Nyanya bombing in Abuja, Tinubu doubled down, emphasising the president’s non-negotiable duty to ensure citizen safety.

“My heart bleeds for our people and the country over the deaths in Nyanya. A government unable to protect its citizens deserves to be queried,” he said.

Eleven years on, Tinubu’s words are being repurposed by critics amid reports of widespread violence against Christians across northern and central Nigeria.

According to a recent report from the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociety), at least 7,087 Christians were killed in the first 220 days of 2025 alone—an average of 32 deaths per day.

2027: No Discussion Or Pact With Jonathan To Unseat Tinubu – Peter Obi.

The Labour Party (LP)’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has dismissed speculation of a political alliance with former President, Goodluck Jonathan, to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

The clarification follows the growing political tension sparked by a recent closed-door meeting between Peter Obi and Jonathan in Abuja, which triggered rumours of an opposition realignment.

Supporters of both politicians have engaged in heated debates on social media, urging either Peter Obi or Jonathan to step aside for the other in what many perceive as a test of opposition unity.

However, speaking through his media aide and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, in an interview with The PUNCH, Peter Obi said there is no pact or discussion about 2027.

He said, “My principal and the former president have a very good working relationship and they know each other very well. So seeing them talk to each other does not mean anything. And it should not be translated to mean anything other than a platonic discussion on how to move this country forward.

“But I don’t think there’s anything more than that. No discussion or pact around 2027. Even when they met in Ghana, I was there. So there was nothing like that.”

Tinubu Grants Posthumous Pardon to Late Major General Mamman Vatsa

The family of Major General Mamman Vatsa has expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu following the posthumous pardon of the celebrated poet and senior military officer, nearly 39 years after his execution.

Vatsa, executed in 1986 after being convicted by a secret military tribunal for allegedly plotting a coup against then Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, was finally cleared through the exercise of presidential clemency, alongside Herbert Macaulay and other notable figures.

In a statement from Minna, Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, family spokesperson and former state Commissioner for Information, described the pardon as “the greatest moment of relief since the general’s death.”

He said:

“Today is the happiest moment in the life of the family after 39 years of sorrow and sadness following the killing of our late father, brother and uncle. Though nothing can bring him back to life, the family is consoled by this display of statesmanship by our dear president. He has written his name in gold, and history will forever remember him.”


Jonathan emphasized that the family has long maintained Vatsa’s innocence, calling the coup charge a “frame-up” and the trial a “stage-managed process” fueled by envy and hatred. He added:

“Justice can never be denied but can only be delayed. The family is convinced that the late Vatsa must be happy in his grave today by this singular act of compassion by President Tinubu. This goes to show that truth doesn’t expire.”


He also recalled that General Domkat Bali, a member of the military council at the time, had publicly questioned the evidence against Vatsa and whether execution was justified.

While some of Vatsa’s closest relatives, including his wife and several children, are no longer alive to witness the pardon, the surviving family members celebrated being part of this historic moment.

“The family still maintains that the late General Vatsa was innocent of the coup. But we thank President Tinubu for his magnanimity in granting him the state pardon,” Jonathan concluded.

“Patience Jonathan Knelt Before Me, Begging Not to Be Abandoned” — Pastor Tunde Bakare Recounts 2014 Encounter with Ex-President Jonathan


Prominent cleric and political leader, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has revealed that former President Goodluck Jonathan once invited him for a private meeting in 2014, as his administration struggled to retain power.

Speaking in a video shared by Channels Television, Bakare recounted that during the tense meeting, Patience Jonathan, the former First Lady, broke down in tears and knelt before him, pleading that he should not abandon them.

“His wife is alive, here in Lagos house, Yinka Odumakin was there. His wife knelt down and held my two feet, saying, ‘You are our father, don’t abandon us.’ I told them it was too late because they didn’t listen to counsel,” Bakare revealed.



The cleric noted that activist Yinka Odumakin was present at the emotional meeting. He explained that Jonathan sought his support despite their political rivalry, as Bakare had earlier contested the 2011 election as running mate to Muhammadu Buhari.

According to Bakare, he eventually advised Jonathan to convene a National Conference that would bring together representatives from all regions to discuss Nigeria’s future.

He said Jonathan acted on that counsel by organizing the 2014 National Conference, but unfortunately, the recommendations were never implemented.

“I told him to call for a national conference that would address Nigeria’s challenges and unite the people. He did — but sadly, nothing was done with the report,” Bakare added.


The pastor’s revelation has reignited conversations online about the political intrigues of 2014, Jonathan’s leadership style, and the untapped potential of the conference’s resolutions.

“Presidential Villa Is for Serious Leaders, Not Drunkards” — APC’s Jarrett Tennebe Dismisses Fears Over Jonathan’s 2027 Comeback

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarrett Tennebe, has responded to speculations that members of the ruling party fear a possible 2027 presidential comeback by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Speaking in an interview with TVC News, Tennebe made it clear that the APC has nothing to worry about, emphasizing that the presidential villa is now reserved for “serious-minded leaders” — not for those who take governance lightly.

“I don’t think anybody is scared of former President Jonathan should he decide to run for the presidency in 2027,”
— Jarrett Tennebe, APC Member


Tennebe praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as a focused and hardworking leader whose policies are already yielding positive results for Nigeria’s economy and citizens.

“The presidential villa now is not for drinking of roots; it’s not for drunkards. The person there now is serious-minded and doing his job,” he added.


He further cast doubt on Jonathan’s political influence, claiming that even in his South-South base, the former president might struggle to secure more than 5,000 votes.

Concluding, Tennebe reaffirmed that the APC remains confident in its leadership and has no fears about any potential challenger as 2027 approaches.

Ex-President Jonathan dragged to court over bid to participate in 2027 election

The Federal High Court in Abuja, was Monday, asked to issue an order of perpetual injunction, restraining former President Goodluck Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party in the country for the purpose of contesting the 2027 presidential election.

The court was equally urged to bar the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from accepting from any political party, Jonathan’s name or publishing same as a duly nominated candidate for the presidential contest.

While ex-President Jonathan was cited as the 1st defendant in the matter, both INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation, were listed as 2nd and 3rd defendants, respectively.

Specifically, the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/ 2025, hich was brought before the court by a lawyer, Mr. Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, posed a lone question for the court to determine:

“Whether in view of the combined provisions of the entirety of Sections 1(1), (2) & (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and their conflated interpretation, the 1st Defendant is eligible, under any circumstances [whatsoever] to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?”

Upon the determination of the question, the plaintiff, sought four principal reliefs, to wit:

“A declaration of this Honourable Court that upon an intimate reading and complete understanding of the entirety of Sections 1(1), (2) & (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended the first Defendant [GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN] is ineligible to stand for or occupy the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“A declaration of this Honorable Court that in view of the entirety of Sections 1(1), (2) & (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended the 2nd Defendant [the INEC] lacks the constitutional power to receive from any political party the name of the first defendant or publish same as the candidate of any political party for the election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria holding in 2027 and other years to come.

Boko Haram Not Driven by Hunger, Sometimes Better Armed Than Nigerian Army — Ex-President Goodluck reveals they once nominated Buhari as negotiator.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that Boko Haram insurgents are not motivated by poverty, stressing that they often wield more sophisticated weapons than the Nigerian Army.

Jonathan spoke on Friday at the launch of “Scars: Nigeria’s Journey & the Boko Haram Conundrum”, a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (rtd).

Recalling past efforts to end the insurgency, Jonathan revealed that during his presidency a committee set up to negotiate with the group was surprised when Boko Haram nominated Muhammadu Buhari to represent them in talks.

“So I was feeling that, oh, if they nominated Buhari to represent them & have a discussion with the government committee, then when Buhari took over, it could have been an easy way to negotiate with them & they would have handed over their guns. But it was still there till today,” he said

He noted that the insurgency began in 2009 when he served as Vice-President under the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. “Even when I took over power in 2010 as president, I battled with it until I left office in 2015. I thought immediately I left, within a reasonable time, late President Muhammadu Buhari was going to wipe them out, but till today, Boko Haram is still here. So the issue of Boko Haram becomes more complex,” he added.

Jonathan urged the current administration to adopt a carrot-and-stick approach, stressing that the sophistication of the sect’s weapons points to external support. 

“Issue of carrots and the stick may be adopted, and yes, probably the needs are there, but if you look at the weapons they use, and you value the weapons, then you know that these are not hungry people. Sometimes the soldiers capture some of the weapons and see they are even better. The weapons they use, the ammunition they use, sometimes they even have more ammunition than our soldiers,” he said.

Islamism isn’t aimed at seizing power — Sultan of Sokoto says, stressing that Islam is about promoting good governance in society.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged Nigerians to rise above religious divides and embrace unity in order to build a stronger country.

He made this call in Abuja on Friday during the public presentation of Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor.

The Sultan explained that Islam should not be misconstrued as a quest for political power but rather as a faith built on justice, fairness and good governance. “Islamism is not aimed at seizing power at any particular forum. Islam is after good governance in society,” he stated.

He cited the example of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure, noting that Muslims gave him full support without bias. “President Goodluck Jonathan was President; we gave him 100 per cent support.

Throughout his presidency, nobody said anything negative against him; he knows that, and he is here. So, Islamism is not what you think it is. It is a wrong notion… We’re after good governance,” the monarch said.

The Sultan, regarded as the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims, also emphasized that Islam has a clear code of conduct that rejects v+olence and fanaticism. “We have ways and means of life. Anybody coming outside these to say things that he really doesn’t know about is not for Islam because Islam abhors extremism. You cannot be an extremist and then claim to be a good Muslim,” he stressed.

He cautioned Nigerians to be mindful of their words when discussing insecurity, warning that careless statements could further divide the country. Instead, he called for unity, saying: “Let’s come closer as one big family with different backgrounds to forge ahead to make this country a better country, because there is nothing anybody can do.”

According to him, his interventions on governance and national issues are never targeted at individuals but are guided by the conviction that religion must always promote justice, peace and social harmony.

Abduction of 276 Chibok Girls Remain Indelible Scar on My Presidency — Jonathan.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has admitted that the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls will forever remain a scar on his presidency.

He made the remark on Friday at the presentation of SCARS: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a memoir by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor. Commending Irabor, Jonathan described him as “a soldier who stood for truth and never played politics with security.”

Reflecting on his tenure, Jonathan said, “One of the major scars on my government is the Chibok Girls. As Bishop Kukah said, no plastic or cosmetic surgeon can remove it. It is a scar I will die with.”

The kidnapping of 276 girls from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, triggered global outrage and birthed the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. Although some of the girls escaped or were freed, more than 80 remain unaccounted for.

Survivors still struggle with stigma, trauma, and interrupted education, with some returning home with children born in captivity.

Jonathan noted that Boko Haram’s activities, which began in 2009, worsened during his presidency. “I battled Boko Haram for five years as President. I thought Buhari would wipe them out quickly, but they remain. Sometimes they even had more munitions than our soldiers — that does not reflect the actions of hungry villagers,” he said.

While his administration was heavily criticised for its response to the tragedy, Jonathan defended his silence at the time, saying it was aimed at protecting sensitive intelligence. He insisted that the insurgency was more complex than many assumed and called for a renewed approach, stressing that the “carrot and stick” method might be necessary.

Over a decade later, successive governments have rescued or negotiated the release of about 189 girls, but dozens are still in captivity. The Federal Government maintains that freeing the remaining Chibok girls and Leah Sharibu remains a national priority.

Listen To Your Wife, Many Will Betray You” – Onoh Warns Tinubu Over Eligibility Of Jonathan For 2027 Presidency.

The former southeast spokesman of President Bola Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has declared that there is no court ruling barring former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential race.

"Listen To Your Wife, Many Will Betray You" - Onoh Warns Tinubu Over Eligibility Of Jonathan For 2027 Presidency
He argued that the certified true copy of the court judgment, declared Jonathan eligible to contest the presidency in Nigeria again and had set aside any issue of constitutional term limits.

He warned President Tinubu not to be deceived into embarking on a wild goose legal chase over Jonathan’s qualification to contest future elections.

Onoh warned President Tinubu not to be carried away by the sycophancy of those around him, warning that just as his wife had cried out about previous betrayals, many people who appear to be supporters may betray him in the 2027 election.

Naija News reports the statement comes on the heels of a warning from the presidency contained in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga on Monday against Jonathan’s rumoured interest in the 2027 election and individuals within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who are reportedly encouraging him to contest the 2027 presidency on the party’s platform.

Onoh, who spoke with newsmen in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, on Tuesday, however, disagreed with the submission by the Presidency on Jonathan’s eligibility. He further submitted that only Nigerians can decide who would be their leader.

He urged the Tinubu administration to focus on issues of national importance and refrain from interfering in the electoral rights of any opponent.

“Therefore, President Tinubu should not be deceived by anyone telling him otherwise. This was exactly how Jonathan’s inner cabal during the build up to 2015 elections deceived him into believing that he was invisible, that Nigerians loved him, to the extent he was too carried away that he felt invisible and never saw Tinubu coming.

“Tinubu was the invisible magician that cast the spell that led to Jonathan’s loss at the polls. The President should not fall in the same trap by the voices that surround him now. The one major sincere voice he should listen to is his wife, many will betray him in the coming months,” Onoh said.

Fmr. Pres. Goodluck Jonathan Will Run for President in 2027 — Jerry Gana.

Former Minister of Information and Orientation, Professor Jerry Gana, has declared that former President Goodluck Jonathan will contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking to journalists after the PDP Niger State Congress in Minna on Saturday, Gana said Nigerians had tried other leaders after Jonathan and now wanted him back.

“In 2015, former President Goodluck Jonathan said his ambition was not worth the blood of Nigerians. After him, another President ruled for eight years, and now another has ruled for two years. Nigerians have seen the difference, and the difference is very clear. Nigerians are now asking us to bring back our friend, former President Goodluck Jonathan,” he stated.

“I can confirm that Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will contest the presidential election in 2027 as PDP candidate, and we should be prepared to vote for him to return as President again,” he added.

Describing PDP as “truly democratic and grassroots-oriented,” Gana said the party had always allowed Nigerians to choose their leaders freely and dismissed talk of internal crisis. 

“When there was a near crisis in the party, the founding fathers convened a consultative conference in Abuja and addressed all the issues. We are now prepared for the task ahead in 2027,” he assured.

He urged Nigerians to “shine their eyes” and vote out the current administration in favour of Jonathan’s return for “good governance.”

The state congress also produced Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed Halidu as chairman with 1,289 votes, defeating Zonal Chairman Alhaji Yahaya Abdullahi (Ability), who scored 1,269. Other winners were Alhaji Khadi Kuta, returned unopposed as Secretary, and Mrs Salome Ndakosu, elected Woman Leader with 1,373 votes against Ramotu Jibrin’s 590.

In his acceptance speech, Halidu called for unity, urging members to “join hands in ensuring the return of a people-oriented government in 2027.”

Subsidy fraud: Otedola slams N1bn suit on Sani, asks Tinubu to release Aig-Imoukhuede report.

Nigerian businessman, Femi Otedola, has said that he has instructed his lawyers to file a N1 billion libel suit against Umar Sani, a former aide to Vice President Namadi Sambo.

The development followed allegations made by Sani, linking Otedola to the fuel subsidy fraud under the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

In response to Otedola’s allegation that “over N2 trillion was siphoned through questionable subsidy claims under the Jonathan administration”, Sani had claimed that “Otedola himself enjoyed enormous privileges during the era”.

Sani equally accused Otedola of engaging in “hypocritical, selective, and convenient rewriting of history”.

However, in a statement released late on Sunday night, Otedola described Sani’s claims as “malicious lies”.

Recalling his role in exposing the subsidy scam, Otedola said he was the first to alert former President Goodluck Jonathan and then Senate President Bukola Saraki of the fraud at the time, wondering how he could be accused of benefiting from the same scam he blew the whistle on.

Dismissing Sani’s attempts to link him with the subsidy scandal, Otedola declared that his company, Zenon Petroleum, never traded in petrol and therefore could not have accessed the subsidy funds.

Announcing his decision to sue the former presidential aide over the alleged defamatory remarks, Otedola insisted that he would not allow anyone to toy with his hard-earned reputation.

Otedola Wrong To Single Out Jonathan Govt On Subsidy Fraud; It Spanned Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Buhari —Ex–VP Aide

Primate Ayodele Predicts IBB’s Support for Jonathan Over Tinubu Ahead of 2027

The Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has released another prophecy concerning Nigeria’s political future as the 2027 general elections draw closer.

In his latest revelation, the cleric declared:

“Babangida isn’t supporting you, Tinubu, but he’s going to support Goodluck Jonathan.”

According to Ayodele, former military president General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) will play a quiet but decisive role in shaping political alignments, and his loyalty will not rest with the incumbent president.

He explained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, despite being in power, will encounter opposition from influential figures dissatisfied with his style of governance. On the other hand, Ayodele claimed that Goodluck Jonathan will enjoy unusual backing from some political godfathers, including Babangida, who still holds sway in Nigeria’s power structure.

The cleric further cautioned Tinubu against relying solely on political machinery, noting that “unseen forces” are already working against him. Instead, he urged the president to prioritize genuine economic reforms to ease the nation’s hardship, stressing that performance, not alliances, will determine his political survival.

Ayodele also emphasized that Jonathan’s name will continue to resurface in Nigeria’s political discourse, whether or not he personally seeks a return to office. According to him, many powerful figures still see Jonathan as a stabilizing force within Nigeria’s fragile democracy.

This latest prophecy has reignited debates about Jonathan’s possible return to frontline politics and the behind-the-scenes influence of elder statesmen in shaping Nigeria’s leadership path.

Ghanaian boxer Ernest Akushey in sudden death days after knockout.

The Ghanaian boxing community is in shock following the death of rising fighter Ernest Bahubali Akushey, who passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, September 23, 2025.

Akushey’s final bout took place on September 12 at the Bukom Boxing Arena, where he suffered an eighth-round technical knockout loss to Jacob Dickson.

Reports indicate that he began feeling unwell on September 22. His condition rapidly deteriorated overnight, and he was later pronounced dead in the hospital.

While an official cause of death has not yet been released, there is speculation the fight may have contributed to internal trauma.

Nicknamed Bahubali for his fearless style, Akushey had been regarded as one of Ghana’s promising talents. Before his defeat to Dickson, he had maintained an impressive unbeaten run, reportedly going 6-0 as a professional.

In May, he suffered his first loss via stoppage to Jonathan Tetteh making the Dickson defeat his second consecutive stoppage loss.

Reports indicate that he began feeling unwell on September 22. His condition rapidly deteriorated overnight, and he was later pronounced dead in the hospital.

While an official cause of death has not yet been released, there is speculation the fight may have contributed to internal trauma.

Over N2trn Lost to Dubious Subsidy Claims Under Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s Administration — Businessman Femi Otedola

Billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, has alleged that more than ₦2 trillion was siphoned through questionable petrol subsidy claims during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

In a statement on Monday, Otedola backed the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in its ongoing dispute with the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN).

DAPPMAN had accused the refinery of destabilizing the market with its fuel price cuts, but Dangote countered, claiming the group demanded an annual subsidy of ₦1.5 trillion to enable members match its depot prices.

Otedola, however, maintained that the subsidy regime was deliberately structured to benefit depot owners, making DAPPMAN members the biggest beneficiaries.

“I warned President Jonathan at the time that he was being misled. The system encouraged rent-seeking and corruption. Over ₦2 trillion was siphoned through dubious claims tied to depot licences,” he said.

He further dismissed the notion that depots significantly create jobs, noting that a typical facility employs only a handful of people, unlike filling stations that hire dozens.

Otedola urged DAPPMAN members to shift their focus to retail operations rather than holding on to depots designed for an import-driven fuel economy, which, according to him, has become redundant with Nigeria now refining locally.

He likened the development to the transformation of Nigeria’s cement industry, where reliance on import terminals gave way to domestic production.

Obasanjo Denies Seeking Third Term, Warns Leaders Against Clinging to Power.

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed long-standing claims that he attempted to extend his presidency beyond two terms, insisting he never pursued such a move.

Speaking Wednesday at the democracy dialogue hosted by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Obasanjo said no evidence exists to support the speculation.

“I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian d+ad or alive that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term,” he stated.

The former leader argued that securing debt relief for Nigeria during his administration was far tougher than seeking tenure extension. “I keep telling them that, look, if I wanted to get debt relief, which is more difficult than getting a third term and I got it, if I wanted a third term, I would have got it too,” he said.

Obasanjo also cautioned against leaders overstaying in office, describing it as a false sense of indispensability. “I know that the best is done when you are young, ideal and vibrant and dynamic. When you are ‘kuje kuje’ you don’t have the best. But some people believe that unless they are there, nobody else,” he remarked.

He further warned that such attitudes amount to defying God. “They will even tell you that they haven’t got anybody else. I believe that that is a sin against God, because if God takes you away, which God can do anytime, then somebody else will come, and that somebody else may do better or may do worse.”

Obasanjo Denies Seeking Third Term, Warns Leaders Against Clinging to Power.

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed long-standing claims that he attempted to extend his presidency beyond two terms, insisting he never pursued such a move.

Speaking Wednesday at the democracy dialogue hosted by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Obasanjo said no evidence exists to support the speculation.

“I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian d+ad or alive that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term,” he stated.

The former leader argued that securing debt relief for Nigeria during his administration was far tougher than seeking tenure extension. “I keep telling them that, look, if I wanted to get debt relief, which is more difficult than getting a third term and I got it, if I wanted a third term, I would have got it too,” he said.

Obasanjo also cautioned against leaders overstaying in office, describing it as a false sense of indispensability. “I know that the best is done when you are young, ideal and vibrant and dynamic. When you are ‘kuje kuje’ you don’t have the best. But some people believe that unless they are there, nobody else,” he remarked.

He further warned that such attitudes amount to defying God. “They will even tell you that they haven’t got anybody else. I believe that that is a sin against God, because if God takes you away, which God can do anytime, then somebody else will come, and that somebody else may do better or may do worse.”

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that free and fair elections remain the best way to remove leaders who fail to deliver on their mandates.

Speaking on Wednesday at the 2025 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Democracy Dialogue in Accra, Ghana, Jonathan warned that the failure of democracy to meet citizens’ expectations could fuel desperation and open the door to authoritarian rule.

He stressed that Africa’s democracy is under strain, with electoral manipulation posing one of its greatest threats. According to him, some leaders exploit flawed systems to stay in power against the people’s will.

“If we had credible elections, leaders who fail to perform would be voted out,” he said. “But in many cases, the process is manipulated to perpetuate them in office.”

Jonathan emphasized that Africans desire freedom, fair representation, quality education, security, healthcare, jobs, and dignity, adding that when these needs are neglected, citizens lose faith in governance.