A North-East group under the aegis of Bring Back Our Goodluck has apologised to former President Goodluck Jonathan over past allegations linking him to the sponsorship of terrorism in the region, saying they were deceived by a former United States President and some desperate Nigerian politicians.
Speaking at a press conference in Maiduguri on Friday, the group’s National President, Grema Kyari, described the allegations as “lies” and insisted they were part of a grand strategy to remove Jonathan from office in 2015.
Kyari, who admitted he was among those who once believed the claims, said the group now recognises the accusations as false and politically motivated.
“I come before you not only as the National Chairman of Bring Back Our Goodluck but as a witness to history and as a Nigerian who, like millions of others, was once misled. I am from Borno State, one of the epicentres of the Boko Haram insurgency. During the presidency of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, a damaging narrative was that he sponsored Boko Haram and used the military to suppress us. These lies thrived in an environment of limited and restricted access to truth,” he said.
The group tendered a “heartfelt public apology” to the former President, declaring that with broader exposure and clearer understanding, they now know the allegations were baseless.
“We now recognise that he was a leader of integrity, compassion, and national vision. We now believe that President Jonathan was removed from office in 2015 as a result of regime change orchestrated by foreign powers in connivance with some desperate politicians in Nigeria,” Kyari added.
Highlighting Jonathan’s legacy, the group hailed him as a democrat who put the nation first.
“In 2015, President Jonathan made history by conceding defeat even before the final election results were declared. He called then-General Muhammadu Buhari to congratulate him, a courageous and selfless act that prevented post-election violence and safeguarded our democracy,” Kyari said.
He also pointed to Jonathan’s defence of Nigeria’s cultural values, recalling how the ex-President signed the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act into law in January 2014 despite international pressure. According to him, the move safeguarded the country’s moral values, in contrast to the recently signed Samoa Agreement, which he claimed undermines them.
Kyari further argued that Jonathan’s administration showed humility when it partially reversed the 2012 fuel subsidy removal following nationwide protests, unlike the current government’s abrupt removal, which has caused widespread hardship.
He added that Jonathan’s appointments were based on merit and competence, not tribal or political favouritism.
“He sought to unite rather than divide, a quality Nigeria desperately needs today,” Kyari stressed.
Calling for Jonathan’s return to politics, the group urged him to contest the 2027 presidential elections.
“On behalf of Bring Back Our Goodluck, I call on all well-meaning Nigerians, from the North to the South, East to West, to join hands in urging Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, to once again answer the call of history. And in this moment of economic crisis, he deserves another chance to lead,” Kyari declared.
