Former President Jonathan Alleges US Interference in 2015 Election, Warns of Continued Instability
Abuja, Nigeria – Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has made striking claims regarding the 2015 general elections and the underlying tensions that continue to threaten Nigeria's stability. In a recent interview, Jonathan asserted that the United States government, under then-President Barack Obama, actively interfered in the electoral process, allegedly influencing the outcome in favor of his opponent, Muhammadu Buhari.
Jonathan recounted how he "daily heard about coup plots" and highlighted predictions by some American groups that Nigeria was on the brink of disintegration during his tenure. He specifically pointed to what he viewed as unusual diplomatic actions, including visits by the US Secretary of State to Nigeria on the eve of the elections and meetings held in the US with northern Nigerian governors—predominantly Muslim—without similar invitations extended to their Christian counterparts from the south.
"Obama even issued a statement directing [Nigerians] to vote for the next chapter," Jonathan claimed, implying a direct endorsement of Buhari. He questioned the rationale behind such alleged preference, stating, "Why will Obama prefer Buhari over Jonathan? Why is Buhari more educated than Jonathan? In what way?"
The former president also touched upon the deeply rooted north-south and Christian-Muslim divides in Nigerian politics. He noted that after eight years of a Southern Christian president (referring to himself), Northern Muslims expected their candidate to also serve an eight-year term. He described the period leading up to the 2015 election as "really tense," with daily rumors of a coup.
Jonathan further revealed that he took the preemptive step of conceding the election before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the full results. He explained this decision was made to prevent potential violence and protect investments, recalling fears that "so many houses in Abuja would have been burnt if things had gone a particular way." He asserted that by announcing the result himself, he aimed to mitigate "excessive celebration" that could have led to unrest.
The former president suggested that these revelations are just "a bit of it," hinting at more detailed accounts to be published in his forthcoming biography. He also briefly touched on the Chibok girls' abduction, questioning the rapid mobilization of "Bring Back Our Girls" campaigns with US ties shortly after the incident. While acknowledging his ultimate responsibility as president, he admitted that his security and intelligence systems "were not strong enough" to rescue the girls.
Jonathan's interview sheds light on the internal and external pressures he reportedly faced during his presidency, offering a glimpse into the complex political landscape of Nigeria. His claims raise significant questions about foreign influence in domestic elections and the persistent ethno-religious fault lines within the country.
