Abuja, Nigeria – Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has for the first time publicly detailed the political persecution he says loyal officials of his administration suffered in the wake of the 2015 elections, describing the Buhari administration’s post-victory actions as a coordinated “witch-hunt.”
Speaking candidly during a high-level dialogue in Abuja on strengthening democracy and the rule of law, Jonathan said the period following his peaceful handover to President Muhammadu Buhari was anything but peaceful for his allies. He revealed that shortly after leaving office, a number of his trusted officials were subjected to aggressive investigations, media trials, arrests, and detentions — not because they were guilty, but because of their affiliation with his government.
“They came after my men like hunters chasing prey,” Jonathan lamented. “Those who served under me became targets. It wasn’t governance; it was a vendetta — pure and simple.”
Jonathan emphasized that while no leader should stand in the way of justice or efforts to rid Nigeria of corruption, justice itself must be fair and not driven by political motives. He noted that corruption must not be fought selectively, adding that genuine anti-corruption war must be institutional and not targeted.
“I never interfered with institutions, and I respected the rule of law. But what followed after I left was a clear abuse of power. Many of my loyalists were dragged in the mud to score political points,” the former President said.
He also accused the Buhari government of hypocrisy — criticizing and discrediting his legacy publicly, while quietly continuing and even rebranding many of his policies and programs, including those in infrastructure, agriculture, and youth empowerment.
“Some of the policies they continued were ones they once mocked,” he said. “So, was the persecution really about performance or politics?”
Jonathan’s explosive remarks come at a time when Nigeria is once again inching toward another critical electoral season in 2027, with conversations around political accountability, unity, and transitional justice gaining momentum.
Political commentators see his statement as a timely reminder of the dangers of weaponizing anti-corruption agencies and using state power to suppress political opponents.
SOURCE: Channels TV | Frontnaija Political Desk
