Jonathan Alerts Public Over Fake Instagram Account, PDP Youth Leader Defends His Absence from Party

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has issued a strong warning to the public over a fraudulent Instagram account impersonating him. In a statement released on Thursday by his Media Aide, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan made it clear that he does not own or operate any Instagram profile, urging Nigerians and the media to disregard the impostor account.

The fake account, operating under the handle goodluck_ebelejonathan, had reportedly been posting misleading content, including some copied directly from Jonathan’s verified Facebook page. The statement, titled “Beware of Fake Instagram Account Impersonating H.E. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan”, denounced the fraudulent profile as an act of impersonation intended to deceive unsuspecting followers.

“Our attention has been drawn to a fraudulent Instagram account operating under the handle goodluck_ebelejonathan, which is falsely impersonating former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,” the statement read.

Eze stressed that the former president had no official presence on Instagram and advised the public to exercise caution.

“We wish to emphasise that Dr. Jonathan does not operate any Instagram account. The media and members of the public are strongly advised to disregard, avoid sharing, or promoting any content originating from this fake profile,” the spokesperson added.

The former president’s office also cautioned against interacting with the account, noting that fraudulent social media profiles are often used to spread false information, solicit funds, or mislead followers into scams.

NDLEA Arrests 49 Suspects, Seizes Large Cache Of Drugs In Kano State Crackdown

PDP Youth Leader Comes to Jonathan’s Defence

In a separate development, the Deputy National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Timothy Osadolor, has defended Jonathan over his extended absence from party activities since leaving office in 2015.

Speaking in an interview with Punch, Osadolor argued that Jonathan’s distance from the PDP was understandable given the circumstances surrounding his exit from the presidency.

“The circumstances under which former President Jonathan left office and the PDP, where senior leaders and members of the party openly and secretly conspired against him, might have informed his decision to stay aloof. If you look at it objectively, one would not be surprised that he took that decision in light of the prevailing circumstances he faced,” Osadolor explained.

While admitting that Jonathan may have “shirked certain responsibilities” in terms of active political involvement, the PDP youth leader maintained that the former president still commands respect within the party and the nation at large.

“As a former president, he has his pride of place, and all his dues and accolades must be fully given to him. We are not in a position now to apportion blame. There are people who have done worse, yet we have accommodated and forgiven them in the past and even in the present,” Osadolor stated.

Call for Party Unity and Inclusiveness

Osadolor emphasised the need for the PDP to prioritise unity, especially as it works to reclaim national influence. He urged the party to welcome all potential allies, including Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, in order to build a broad coalition ahead of future elections.

“In the spirit of oneness, continuity, and fairness, every hand, including Obi, should be welcomed. With regard to the former president, and notwithstanding the goodwill he has gathered post-presidency, we need all the goodwill we can get now to push this party back into the national limelight,” he said.

The youth leader noted that political reconciliation and strategic alliances would be essential if the PDP is to compete effectively at the national level.

Alleged Support for Jonathan’s Candidacy

In a notable revelation, Osadolor claimed that some influential figures within the PDP, including Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, had shown interest in Jonathan’s potential return as a candidate. According to him, these supporters believe Jonathan would be easier to market to the electorate given his record and the goodwill he has maintained since leaving office.

Although Jonathan has not publicly indicated any intention to return to active politics or seek elective office, speculation about his political future continues to circulate. His post-presidency work in peace-building and democracy advocacy across Africa has kept him in the public eye, fueling periodic debates about his possible role in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Public Caution Against Social Media Fraud

Meanwhile, Jonathan’s office reiterated its appeal to Nigerians to remain vigilant against fake social media accounts impersonating public figures. Cybercrime experts warn that such fraudulent accounts often lure followers with fabricated statements, investment scams, or fundraising requests in the name of prominent personalities.

By confirming that he has no Instagram presence, Jonathan joins a growing list of Nigerian public figures who have publicly debunked fake profiles, highlighting the persistent challenges of online impersonation and misinformation.

The warning also underscores the importance of verifying social media handles through official communication channels before engaging or sharing content, especially when it appears to come from high-profile leaders.

With both the impersonation issue and the internal political debates surrounding his absence, Jonathan remains a central figure in Nigeria’s socio-political discourse. While his team battles misinformation online, his political allies within the PDP continue to advocate for his recognition and possible re-engagement in national politics.

For now, the former president’s position on political re-entry remains unspoken — but his call to the public is clear: ignore the fake Instagram account, stay alert, and do not fall for scams in his name.