Most Nigerian politicians not dependable —Jonathan

•says Politics in Nigerian is about betrayals

…they will tell you something this minute, in the next one hour, they’ll say another, he adds

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday, slammed Nigerian politicians, saying most of them are not dependable.

Jonathan spoke at the 70th birthday celebration of a former minister, Chief Mike Aiyegbeni Oghiadomhe, in Benin, the Edo State capital.

He was emphatic that most of them lack integrity because “you cannot take their words to the bank.”

Oghiadomhe served as the Chief of Staff to the former president from 2010 to 2014.

He was the deputy governor of Edo State from 1999 to 2007; deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President 2007 to 2008 and Principal Private Secretary to the Vice-president (2008-2010).

Reminiscing on his days in office as president, Jonathan asserted that he was a victim of treachery during the 2025 general election that marked the end of the 16-year reign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the federal level.

“I have witnessed a lot of betrayals, especially during my 2015 elections,” he quipped.

The former president, however, extolled Chief Oghiadomhe, who, he said, is one of his most dependable friends whose loyalty is unequal.

READ ALSO: 2027: Jonathan qualified for second tenure — Bayelsa PDP chieftain

“Oghiadomhe is one of the few friends I have who can give out their neck for me,” the former president stressed.

Jonathan said that politics in Nigeria is all about betrayals, adding that the likes of Oghiadomhe are uncommon.

“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.

“I have witnessed a lot of betrayals, especially during my 2015 elections.

“Mike is somebody who I have as one of my brothers and friends. Mike is one person who will take a bullet on my behalf. So, for an occasion like this, I don’t know how to commend him.

“For me, he is somebody that you can take his words to the bank.

“Most politicians, you cannot take their words to the bank.

“They will tell you something this minute and the next one hour, they’ll say another. The next one hour they’ll say another thing. I am quite pleased to associate with you, “Jonathan said.

Oghiadomhe is a long-standing member of the Board of Trustees of the PDP.

Dignitaries at the event included Senator Adams Oshiomhole, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, Chief Medical Director (CMD), University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Professor (Mrs) Izia Ize-Iyamu, former Governors Lucky Igbinedion, Oserheimen Osunbor and Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo.

Others were Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), 2024 PDP governorship candidate in the Edo and his deputy, Asue Ighodalo, and  Osarodion Ogie, current deputy governor, Dennis Idahosa, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku.

Edo State Chief Judge, Hon Justice Daniel Okugbowa, ex-deputy of Edo State, Mike Obadan and Ugochukwu Okeke.

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE