The Presidency has declared that former President Goodluck Jonathan is constitutionally free to contest the 2027 presidential election, but warned that he risks being misled and abandoned by political actors, as happened in 2015.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said this in a statement issued on Monday, September 29, 2025.
Onanuga’s remarks followed claims by former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, that Jonathan would return to the political stage under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform and defeat President Tinubu in 2027.
Reacting, Onanuga dismissed Gana’s comments as “absurd,” insisting that Jonathan’s record in office remains fresh in the minds of Nigerians.
“Politicians of Jerry Gana’s ilk merely want to lure him into the race to satisfy their personal, political, religious, and ethnic interests. They will abandon him midstream, as they did in 2015, and leave Gentleman Jonathan in the lurch,” Onanuga said.
He, however, noted that Jonathan might face legal hurdles if he chooses to run, given that he had already been sworn in twice.
Onanuga added: “President Jonathan reserves the right to run if he wishes. It is his inalienable right. But Jonathan will have his date in the court of the land.
“Indeed, the jury will determine whether Jonathan, who was sworn in twice as president, satisfies the constitutional requirements and is eligible to contest the presidency and be sworn in, if successful, for a third term.”
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Onanuga further accused Jonathan of mismanaging the economy during his six-year rule, alleging that the downturn Nigeria experienced started under his administration.
He said: “The Jonathan administration severely damaged the economy, and all key indicators declined under his watch.
“They inherited $66 billion in reserves and excess crude account in 2010 but left less than $32 billion by 2015, despite enjoying record oil revenues.”
According to him, by December 2014, the federal government was unable to pay salaries, while at least 28 states owed workers arrears.
The presidential spokesman contrasted Jonathan’s performance with Tinubu’s “bold reforms,” including the removal of fuel subsidy, unification of exchange rates, and what he described as a rebound in GDP and reserves.
Onanuga added: “In plain language, the nation has turned the corner. And our people have started reaping the gains of the bold reforms instituted by the Tinubu administration.
“President Jonathan and others are welcome to the 2027 race. They broke the economy before, but millions of Nigerians who will not easily forget the recent past will not allow them to return to run it down again.”
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