For years, the public narrative around the family of former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been shrouded in mystery and speculation, especially concerning the number and origin of his children. While many media outlets have long reported that the Jonathans have two children—Ariwera Adolphus Jonathan and Aruabi Jonathan—findings from multiple credible sources paint a much more complex picture.
More Than Just Two: The Quiet Reality Behind the Scenes
According to insiders, including several natives of Otuoke (the president’s hometown), and other close associates who spoke on condition of anonymity, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is the father of not two, but four children. Contrary to popular belief, Ariwera and Aruabi are not his biological children, but rather adopted. The former president and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, reportedly adopted them after years of battling childlessness.
The Adoption: A Painful Decision After Years of Waiting
After the Jonathans got married, they faced nearly five years of trying unsuccessfully to have children. According to sources close to the family, this led to immense pressure on Jonathan to either remarry or seek alternative means to have children—pressure that came both from within his family circle and political associates.
During this period of uncertainty, a new chapter opened in Jonathan’s private life when he developed a relationship with the daughter of a prominent lawyer, Chief F.D. Lott, who was also a former Attorney General in Bayelsa State. Their bond, though controversial, led to the birth of two sons—Jonathan’s biological children.
A Complicated Love Triangle and Political Rise
Despite this, Dame Patience Jonathan continued to fight for her marriage and successfully persuaded her husband to keep the children but end the relationship with Lott’s daughter. This decision, however, left emotional scars on all involved.
As Jonathan’s political career began to soar—first as Deputy Governor and then Governor of Bayelsa State—the mother of his biological children tried to re-enter his life, this time leveraging the children as an emotional and political tool. However, by then, Dame Patience had grown more assertive in her role as the First Lady of Bayelsa, and she resisted any possibility of reconciliation.
The Adoption and Aftermath
Eventually, the Jonathans decided to adopt two children, Ariwera and Aruabi, reportedly from a motherless babies’ home in Port Harcourt (although some sources suggest Lagos). These children would go on to become the publicly recognized children of the Jonathan family.
Meanwhile, Lott’s daughter relocated to Yenagoa, presumably in search of reconciliation or at least recognition, but found herself at odds with the growing influence of Dame Patience. Reports suggest that she was deliberately sidelined and faced emotional and social hardships.
When word of her deteriorating condition reached Jonathan, he reportedly intervened discreetly. He arranged for her and her two sons to relocate to the United States, where they have remained ever since. To maintain communication and provide support, Jonathan allegedly appointed her father—Chief F.D. Lott—to the governing council of Niger Delta University, allowing him to act as a go-between.
Where Things Stand Now
The truth about Goodluck Jonathan’s children remains largely outside public view, and efforts have seemingly been made to maintain that discretion. However, it’s evident from these accounts that the former president has four children—two adopted and two biological—each with their unique story.
Whether viewed as a political move, a personal decision, or a combination of both, the arrangement has remained one of the least talked-about aspects of Jonathan’s legacy. It’s a tale of love, pressure, sacrifice, and strategy, played out in the backdrop of Nigeria’s turbulent political landscape.
Source:
Dr. David Chukwumelugaba (David Chux.O.)
Activist, Blogger, Business Consultant, and Web Developer
Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
Twitter: @DrDavidOfficial
