The Office of former President Goodluck Jonathan has distanced itself from a trending Instagram account operating under the handle @goodluck_ebelejonathan, describing it as fake and warning members of the public against being misled by its content.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday by Jonathan’s media aide, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, who said the former Nigerian leader does not own, operate or maintain any personal account on Instagram.
According to Eze, the account has been engaging in activities that create the impression that it belongs to the former president, thereby misleading unsuspecting followers and members of the public.
He explained that the account has repeatedly changed its identity and presentation over time, making it difficult for many users to determine whether it is authentic or not.
“May the public take note that the account represents itself as a fan page at times and impersonates the former president most of the time,” Eze said in the statement.
He further disclosed that the account’s username had been altered several times, describing the development as evidence of deliberate efforts to evade detection and continue misleading social media users.
“The username has been changed 13 times and counting and we hope that Meta does the needful in due time,” he added.
The statement noted that while the page occasionally identifies itself as a fan account, it frequently presents itself in a manner that suggests it is officially linked to Jonathan. According to Eze, this pattern amounts to impersonation and poses a risk to members of the public who may rely on information posted on the page.
The former president’s office urged Nigerians, media organisations and social media users to disregard any messages, statements or announcements originating from the account.
It also called on the public to verify information attributed to Jonathan through official channels before accepting or sharing it.
The warning comes amid growing concerns over the rise of fake social media accounts impersonating public officials, politicians, celebrities and government institutions. Such accounts are often used to spread false information, attract followers, solicit funds or create confusion around public issues.
Social media impersonation has become a major challenge in Nigeria and across the world as public figures increasingly rely on digital platforms to communicate with citizens and supporters. The ease of creating accounts and changing usernames has made it possible for fraudsters and impersonators to mimic prominent personalities.
Technology companies such as Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, have policies that prohibit impersonation and misleading online behaviour. Verified public figures are often encouraged to use official channels and account verification features to help users identify authentic accounts.
Jonathan’s office expressed hope that Meta would take action against the account in line with its rules on impersonation.
The former president, who served as Nigeria’s leader between 2010 and 2015, remains one of the country’s most prominent political figures. Although he has largely maintained a low profile since leaving office, his views on national and international issues continue to attract public attention.
Over the years, Jonathan has communicated with the public mainly through official statements issued by his media office and through verified social media platforms managed on his behalf. His office has on several occasions cautioned Nigerians against relying on unverified online accounts claiming to represent him.
The latest warning follows increased online discussions involving the former president, especially as political activities linked to the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum. Analysts say the popularity and influence of prominent political figures often make them targets for impersonators seeking attention or credibility.
Jonathan’s office therefore advised Nigerians to remain vigilant while engaging with social media content and to carefully verify the authenticity of accounts claiming to belong to notable personalities.
As concerns over online misinformation continue to grow, the former president’s media team reiterated that the Instagram handle in question is not associated with Jonathan in any way and should not be regarded as an official source of information about him.
The office maintained that any genuine communication from the former president would be made through recognised and verified channels, urging the public to ignore the activities of the impersonation account and await action from Meta.