Former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, has reacted to recent comments by former President Goodluck Jonathan, who described Nigerian politics as being filled with betrayal and treachery. Sani backed the ex-president’s view and advised young Nigerians who aspire to enter politics to learn from Jonathan’s political experience.
Jonathan had made the remark while speaking in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, during the 70th birthday celebration of Chief Mike Aiyegbeni Oghiadomhe, his former Chief of Staff. At the event, Jonathan reflected on his time in office and his failed re-election bid in 2015, blaming betrayal from trusted allies for his loss.
“Politics in Nigeria, by its current standard, is all about betrayal,” the former president said.
The comment has since drawn reactions across the political landscape, with many agreeing that betrayal has become a regular feature of Nigerian politics. Among those who responded was Shehu Sani, a prominent political commentator and human rights activist who also served in the 8th Senate.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Sani supported Jonathan’s view and turned it into a warning for younger Nigerians entering politics.
“GEJ just said that Nigerian politics is full of betrayers, liars and traitors. I hope young people aspiring to join politics are listening to him and learning from his experience,” Sani wrote.
Sani, who is known for his blunt political commentary, is himself no stranger to political betrayal and party struggles. He was elected senator under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015 but later left the party following internal disputes and disagreements with party leadership in Kaduna State. Since leaving the Senate, he has remained vocal on national issues and a consistent critic of political injustice.
Jonathan’s comments have revived discussions about the events of 2015, when he lost his re-election bid to President Muhammadu Buhari, making him the first sitting Nigerian president to lose a general election. At the time, many within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were accused of working against his interest or switching sides ahead of the vote.
While Jonathan has largely stayed away from active partisan politics since then, recent rumours suggest he may be preparing for a political comeback in 2027. Some political observers believe he is still a strong contender and could emerge as the PDP’s flagbearer if he chooses to run again.
His popularity, especially in parts of the South-South and South-East, remains relatively strong, and his peaceful handover in 2015 earned him respect across Africa and internationally. However, his potential return would stir fresh political debates and bring unresolved issues from his first tenure back into the spotlight.
