Former President Goodluck Jonathan has lamented that Nigeria’s political landscape is dominated by “betrayals and lies.”
Jonathan spoke in Benin City on Thursday during the 70th birthday celebration of his former Chief of Staff and one-time Edo State Deputy Governor, Chief Mike Ogiadomhe. The event was attended by dignitaries including former governors Lucky Igbinedion, Adams Oshiomhole, Osarhiemen Osunbor, and Ibrahim Dankwambo, as well as Edo Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, Speaker of the State Assembly Blessing Agbebaku, members of the legislature, traditional rulers, and other top officials.
Paying tribute to Ogiadomhe, Jonathan described him as a dependable ally who stood firmly by him during and after his presidency. “One of the few friends who could give up their necks for me is Mike,” Jonathan said. “Politics in Nigeria is about betrayals. Many will say one thing in the morning and another by evening. I witnessed it in 2015. But Mike is someone you can take his word to the bank.”
In his goodwill message, Idahosa, who represented Governor Monday Okoebholo, said Ogiadomhe laid a strong foundation as deputy governor, which the state still benefits from. Former Governor Lucky Igbinedion praised him as a trusted deputy, while Oshiomhole recalled that Ogiadomhe’s loyalty to Jonathan was unwavering, commending his wife Louisa for her support.
