The Office of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has dismissed as false and malicious allegations linking him and members of his family to a controversial pilot training programme currently at the centre of a dispute between private parties.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media, Ikechukwu Eze, the former President’s office refuted claims made by one Kariyau Daukaru, who alleged that some of Jonathan’s relatives failed a pilot training examination but were later sent abroad for aviation training through preferential treatment.
The statement categorically stated that no relative of Dr. Jonathan applied for, participated in, or failed any examination connected with the aviation training programme.
It further clarified that no member of the Jonathan family was nominated, selected, sponsored, or trained under the programme, whether in the United States or any other country.
According to the statement, “No relative of the former President participated in or failed any examination connected to the programme. No relative of former President Jonathan was nominated, selected, sponsored, or trained under the programme in question, whether in the United States or elsewhere. No member of the Jonathan family is currently undergoing pilot or aviation training under any such arrangement.”
The former President’s office stressed that although Dr. Jonathan does not usually comment on private disputes or matters before the courts, it was necessary to respond because of the false attempt to associate his name and family with the controversy.
It also maintained that Dr. Jonathan had no involvement in the administration of the programme and never influenced its processes in favour of any individual.
Describing the allegations as a deliberate attempt to exploit the former President’s reputation, the statement said the claims were intended to sensationalise an ongoing dispute involving other parties.
“Former President Jonathan has consistently maintained a principled distance from private business arrangements and programmes that do not involve him. It is therefore unfortunate that unsupported allegations are being circulated in a manner capable of misleading the public and damaging reputations,” the statement read.
The office urged those involved in the dispute to seek redress through appropriate legal and institutional channels rather than make unfounded allegations against individuals with no connection to the matter.
It concluded by stating that all allegations concerning Dr. Jonathan, his family, and any purported aviation training sponsorship are entirely false and should be disregarded by the public, while calling on those responsible for spreading the claims to immediately retract and correct the record.
