Former President Goodluck Jonathan has alleged that shortly after his administration ended in 2015, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari went after key officials who served under him.
Jonathan made this statement on Thursday, July 11, 2025, in Abuja at the public presentation of a revealing memoir titled “OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3bn Nigerian Oil Block” authored by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN).
Represented by former Senate President Pius Anyim, Jonathan declared that the Buhari administration launched what many described as a “manhunt” against officials from his cabinet, with Adoke being a prime target.
The OPL-245 Scandal: A $1.3bn Controversy That Rocked Nigeria
The OPL-245 case, also known as the Malabu Oil deal, involved the 2011 sale of one of Nigeria’s most valuable oil blocks to Shell and Eni for $1.3 billion. The deal triggered investigations and legal battles globally, with $1.1 billion of the funds allegedly channeled through intermediaries as bribes to top Nigerian officials.
While Adoke was accused of complicity in the deal, he was later discharged and acquitted by courts in both Nigeria and abroad.
Jonathan: “They Hunted My People”
Jonathan said:
- “Shortly after my tenure ended in 2015, the succeeding government launched what many saw as a manhunt against key officers of my administration. Bello Adoke was hunted across the globe.”
- He praised Adoke for his resilience and commitment to telling his own side of the story, calling the book a contribution to truth, justice, and fairness.
- “Let us remember: any society that does not promote justice and fairness will neither have peace nor progress,” Jonathan stated.
Adoke Speaks: I Was Persecuted, Not Prosecuted
In his remarks, Bello Adoke revealed that the Buhari administration targeted him out of vengeance, claiming that Buhari was acting in defense of Gen. Sani Abacha’s family, who had earlier lost control of the oil block.
“I was not a party to the OPL 245 transaction. I only implemented a presidential directive to resolve lingering legal disputes,” Adoke clarified.
He also decried the waste of public funds spent on what he termed a needless, malicious prosecution, adding that Nigerian taxpayers should never have been burdened with such expenses.
Despite enduring exile, stress, and character assassination, Adoke said he had forgiven all those involved, including former EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Magu, who he claimed later apologized.
“This book is not to attack anyone. It is to document the truth and provide my side of the story.”
Shettima: Adoke Once Saved My Career
Vice President Kashim Shettima offered a heartfelt tribute to Adoke. He revealed that during Jonathan’s presidency, there were moves to remove him as Borno Governor, but Adoke’s legal opinion stopped it.
“Jonathan wanted to remove me, but Adoke told him bluntly: ‘You cannot remove a sitting governor, not even a councillor’,” Shettima said.
He praised Adoke’s forgiveness and courage, adding that leaders must document their stories instead of hiding behind silence.
El-Rufai, Saraki, Makinde & Others Weigh In
Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, a key member of the 2015 Buhari-led APC, said Adoke’s role in convincing Jonathan to concede defeat in the 2015 elections should have earned him respect, not persecution.
“Adoke helped stabilise Nigeria’s democracy in 2015. The APC should have thanked him, not hunted him,” El-Rufai said.
Other dignitaries at the event included:
- Governor Seyi Makinde (Oyo State) praised the book as a tool for building elite consensus.
- Former Senate President Bukola Saraki commended Adoke for upholding the rule of law.
- Tambuwal, who was applauded for defending Shettima’s right to stay as governor during the Jonathan administration.
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Key Takeaways from the Memoir Launch:
✅ Jonathan accuses Buhari’s government of persecuting his former officials
✅ Adoke says he merely followed presidential instructions in the OPL-245 case
✅ He forgives all who wronged him, including Ibrahim Magu
✅ Shettima reveals how Adoke once saved him from political removal
✅ El-Rufai urges today’s leaders to document their actions for history
✅ OPL-245 block contains over 9 billion barrels of crude oil
Conclusion: A Memoir That Revives Old Wounds — and Starts New Conversations
The launch of Adoke’s memoir may have opened old political wounds, but it has also sparked a national conversation on justice, leadership, and accountability. As Nigeria moves closer to another election cycle, the lessons of the Jonathan-Buhari transition and the OPL-245 scandal will continue to shape the public discourse.
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