Politics

Jonathan: Buhari’s Government Targeted My Key Allies After 2015 Election

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 11th, 2025.

Jonathan: Buhari’s Government Targeted My Key Allies After 2015 Election

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that following his departure from office in 2015, several officials from his administration became the focus of intense scrutiny and legal pursuit by the succeeding government led by Muhammadu Buhari.

Jonathan’s comments were conveyed in Abuja during the launch of “OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3bn Nigerian Oil Block”, a memoir by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke. Representing the former president at the event was ex-Senate President, Pius Anyim.

The book recounts Adoke’s legal battles and public controversies over the controversial OPL-245 deal — a $1.3 billion oil block transaction involving Shell and Eni in 2011, which later became entangled in allegations of corruption and bribery. A significant portion of the payment, roughly $1.1 billion, was allegedly funneled through intermediaries to bribe Nigerian officials.

Originally awarded to Malabu Oil and Gas in 1998 during the Abacha regime, OPL 245 eventually became the subject of international investigations after Malabu sold it to Shell and Eni.

Adoke, who oversaw legal matters at the time, was one of several figures accused of misconduct by the Buhari administration, though he was ultimately acquitted both in Nigeria and abroad.

Jonathan recalled how Adoke became a global target during the probe into the OPL-245 affair. He described the former minister’s experience as a “manhunt” orchestrated against individuals who served in his government.

“After I left office in 2015, key members of my administration came under attack. Bello Adoke, who served as Attorney-General, was pursued across borders. Today, he stands tall to tell his story,” Jonathan stated.

He went on to praise Adoke for his resilience and for choosing to document his side of events, calling the memoir a valuable contribution to the pursuit of truth and justice. “Power is ultimately from God. Those entrusted with leadership must embrace fairness and integrity,” he added.

Jonathan stressed that societies must uphold justice and fairness to achieve peace and sustainable development. He noted that Adoke’s decision to write the memoir serves not only as a personal vindication but as a contribution to Nigeria’s democratic and judicial history.

Speaking at the event, Adoke expressed forgiveness toward those who had instigated or participated in his prosecution. He made it clear that the memoir was not intended to attack anyone, but to clarify his role and preserve an accurate account of the events surrounding OPL-245.

“This book isn’t written to attack. It’s to provide context and set the record straight,” Adoke said. He emphasized that he acted on a directive from the presidency in 2011 and was not directly involved in the oil deal.

He criticized the use of public funds to sustain what he described as baseless prosecutions and pointed out the lack of accountability for Nigerian officials who allegedly misled courts. He noted that, while an Italian prosecutor involved in the case was jailed, similar actors in Nigeria faced no consequences.

Despite the personal cost of the legal battles, Adoke said he has chosen to move forward, noting that the former EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, had since apologized to him.

Highlighting the economic significance of the oil block, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde mentioned that OPL-245 holds over nine billion barrels of oil, making it a key national asset and explaining the international interest in the case. “The issue of OPL 245 is still unresolved to this day,” he added.

Other dignitaries also spoke at the event. Former Senate President Bukola Saraki underscored the need to protect the rule of law, while former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai emphasized the importance of writing memoirs to record history and provide insight.

El-Rufai reminded current officeholders that every leader’s time will eventually pass. “Our turn always comes,” he said, urging today’s leaders to act with humility and foresight.

He also revealed that Adoke had been instrumental in convincing Jonathan to peacefully concede the 2015 election to Buhari — a stabilizing decision for Nigeria’s democracy. El-Rufai questioned why someone who played such a critical role was later vilified.

“Adoke helped steer the country through a tense moment. He should be celebrated, not condemned,” El-Rufai said, adding that even in his conversations with Buhari, he never saw any personal vendetta — only an interest in upholding the law.