Ike Eze

📢 The Head of the AU–COMESA–IGAD Election Observation Mission, H.E. @GEJonathan, has arrived in 🇺🇬 Uganda ahead of the 15 January 2026 General Elections. The former President will be assisted by Amb. Shemsudin Ahmed Roble, a member of the COMESA Committee of Elders and Commander Abebe Muluneh Beyene from IGAD. The Mission, comprising 84 observers, will observe the electoral process in support of credible, transparent, and peaceful elections, in line with: the legal framework governing elections in Uganda; the OAU/AU Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections; the standards and obligations stipulated in the #ACDEG; and the International Declaration of Principles (DoP) for International Election Observation, among others. 🗳️🇺🇬 #UgandaDecides2026 @_AfricanUnion @COMESA_GPS @IGADPeace

I was delighted to join the families and friends of Arc. Harcourt Adukeh and Mr. Olufemi Babalola in Lagos on Friday to witness the beautiful traditional marriage ceremony of their children, Teite Dezire and Boluwatito Temilola. I wish Teite and Bolu a lifetime of happiness, peace, and abundant blessings as they begin this beautiful journey together. -GEJ

Ce matin, j’ai reçu en audience l'ancien président nigérian Goodluck Jonathan. Cette rencontre, marquée par des échanges constructifs, s'est principalement concentrée sur les enjeux entourant les élections générales prévues le 23 novembre 2025 en Guinée-Bissau.

RESPONSE TO FEMI OTEDOLA’S SUBSIDY FRAUD CLAIM UNDER JONATHAN Billionaire businessman Femi Otedola recently revisited Nigeria’s controversial fuel subsidy regime, asserting that corruption remains rife in the system. He made this claim while weighing in on the dispute btw the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and fuel marketers. In his intervention last week, Femi, an ex-major player in the downstream petroleum sector, accused members of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), a body he claimed he founded, of sustaining a corrupt business model built on subsidy fraud and obsolete infrastructure. What stood out, however, was Femi's allegation that “over N2 trillion was siphoned through questionable subsidy claims under the Jonathan administration.” Whether this was meant to score cheap political points or ride the corruption chant, the intent to single out one administration for rebuke was clear. While no one should defend corruption, it is important to respond with factual clarity and historical accuracy. His claims are hypocritical, selective, and reek of a convenient rewriting of history. The subsidy regime predates Jonathan and lasted decades. It was entrenched under Obasanjo, continued under Yar’Adua, remained during Jonathan’s time, and persisted under Buhari with even greater opacity. To lay the blame solely on Jonathan is misleading, especially as Otedola himself enjoyed enormous privileges during the era. At the height of the regime, his company, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, was one of the biggest importers of diesel and other products, controlling as much as 90% of diesel imports and up to 40% of others. The same system he now condemns was one he benefited from immensely. Indeed, subsidy claims were riddled with fraud. That is why Jonathan instituted the Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede-led forensic audit panel to unmask the exploiters of the system, including politically connected operators. This was part of the crucial reforms Jonathan initiated to sanitise the sector. He also moved towards privatisation and deregulation, but vested interests, politicians, opportunistic civil society groups, and profiteers sabotaged the effort. The Occupy Nigeria protests of 2012, used to frustrate deregulation, were partly funded by those who stood to lose from reform. For Femi to now feign moral superiority is disingenuous. Zenon was among the companies spotlighted during both the Imoukhuede panel’s work and the House of Reps Ad-hoc Committee on Subsidy Payments, chaired by Hon. Farouk Lawan. Nigerians also remember the Otedola-Lawan scandal, in which Femi admitted giving marked money to Lawan, later claiming it was a sting operation. Whether this was genuine or a tactic to evade indictment remains debatable. Given his proximity to power and central role in the subsidy ecosystem, Femi knows more about the scam than he admits. His comments, while critical of corruption, appear more as image-laundering trying to project himself as a reformer rather than the enabler and beneficiary records show him to be. Rather than full exposure, Otedola engages in selective revelation, pointing fingers while shielding his own complicity. What he has offered is less a revelation than an inadvertent confession a glimpse into the dark underbelly of a subsidy regime he thrived in. Any true effort to expose corruption in the petroleum sector is welcome, but it must be made in honesty, full disclosure, and historical accuracy. His attempt to cast himself as a whistleblower rings hollow against the facts of his involvement. The public merits the whole truth, not curated narratives. If Femi truly wants to help, he should come clean, name names, and support a full independent inquiry into the subsidy regime not just under Jonathan but across all regimes, including those he profited from. He should also explain his dealings with AMCON. Until then, his accusations amount to nothing more than a pot calling the kettle black.

Today, I welcomed His Excellency Goodluck Jonathan, the former President of Nigeria, at State House in Entebbe. H.E. Jonathan came to Uganda to officiate at the 14th Graduation Ceremony of Cavendish University where he serves as Chancellor. We discussed a wide range of issues concerning both of our countries.

BEWARE OF FAKE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT IMPERSONATING H.E. DR. GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN

I extend my deepest condolences to H. E @JDMahama, the Government and people of Ghana, and the bereaved families  on the tragic incident of  the military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Ghana’s Minister of Defence, Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Environment, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed and other distinguished officers and citizens. They were committed public servants who gave their lives in service to  their country. Their passing leaves a painful void in the hearts of many. I join you in paying tribute to their patriotism and the sacrifices they made for the peace, security, and progress of Ghana.  I pray that their legacy continues to inspire future generations of Ghanaian leaders. May God grant you, the affected families, and the people of Ghana the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. And may the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace. - GEJ

Ahead of Wednesday's opening of the Inaugural Sahel Governance Forum, billed to hold on July 30-31 2025 in The Gambia, we arrived in Banjul this evening to join many other political leaders, policymakers, civil society representatives and development partners from across Africa and the world, who have gathered for this historic event. The two-day conference with the theme “The Future of Governance: (Re)building Social Cohesion and Public Trust”, is convened by the Government of the Republic of The Gambia, in collaboration with the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). I wish the participants fruitful deliberations as they explore ways of strengthening citizen trust, deepening political transitions and improving governance in the Sahel. -GEJ

Congratulations @NGSuper_Falcons on winning the #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 for a record 10th time( #Missionx). Your hard work and team spirit saw you fight back from two goals down to defeat the host Moroccan team by a margin of 3- 2.  Your victory is a lesson of hope. One that  highlights our possibilities as a nation; that with unity, faith and perseverance, we can achieve our national aspirations no matter  how daunting the challages we face.  Thank you for making us proud. Congratulations on your  achievement of #MissionX, the first in our continent’s history. - GEJ

I paid a condolence visit to Amb. Hassan Tukur, my former Principal Secretary, and his family in Abuja, over the recent passing of his elder sister, Hajiya Kulthumi Petel Tukur. May Allah forgive her shortcomings, and grant her Jannatul Firdaus. -GEJ

Préparez-vous à écouter S.E. Adama Barrow lors du tout premier #SahelGovernanceForum. 🎙️ Son leadership orientera les échanges, alors que plus de 200 participant·e·s sont attendu·e·s pour repenser la gouvernance. 🌍 🗓️ 30–31 juillet |📍Banjul 🔗 go.undp.org/FGS #SGF2025

Members of West African Elders Forum (@TheWAEF) Pre-Election Mediation Mission led by His Excellency Mr. Yayi Boni, former President of the Republic of Benin arrived in the Ivorian capital city, ahead of the scheduled Ivorian October 2025 Presidential election. In our planned engagements with different stakeholders, we are pleased to offer our support and encouragement to the nation's consensus building efforts toward a peaceful, credible election in Cote d'Ivoire and democratic consolidation in the subregion. -GEJ

Paid a courtesy visit on H.E. Allasane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, today, in Abidjan. It is always a delight catching up and engaging Mr. President in a relaxed and friendly chat. I thank His Excellency, President Ouattara, for the warm welcome. -GEJ

CONGRATULATIONS TO MAMA PEACE! Congratulations to Former First Lady, Dame (Dr.) Patience Jonathan, who was today honoured with the esteemed Global Peace Ambassador Award by the Women's Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI), at a ceremony in Seoul, South Korea.

Hugely grateful for the Founder's Sunhak Peace Prize that was presented to me today at an official ceremony in Seoul, South Korea. This honour belongs to every Nigerian who believes in the possibility of peace and to every African working for the progress and advancement of our continent. I congratulate other awardees and thank the co-founder of the Universal Peace Federation, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, the Sunhak Peace Prize Foundation, as well as my wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, for her love and support.

I arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, last night for the @CGIARScienceWeek 2025 which opened this morning with stakeholders exploring the imperative of strategic partnerships and transformative solutions to the challenges facing agri-food systems. I believe that when sciene and innovation are harnessed and scaled in more effective ways, and farmers are treated as business partners and drivers of growth, agriculture can transform African economies. -GEJ

Disclaimer on Misleading Information Regarding Empowerment Initiative @GEJFoundation is aware of a misleading message being circulated about the proposed launched of a youth empowerment initiative tagged: "Empowering Nigerian Youth Enhancing Economic Growth",