The presidency has said former President Goodluck Jonathan is free to contest the 2027 presidential election but warned that Nigerians will not forget what it called his “dismal record in office.”
Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on information and strategy, issued the statement on Monday while reacting to comments by Jerry Gana, former minister of information.
Gana had earlier declared that Jonathan would contest under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and reclaim power from Tinubu after 12 years.
Onanuga dismissed Gana’s claim as “absurd,” insisting that Jonathan is being used by politicians who will eventually abandon him.
“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.” the statement reads.
The presidential aide however admitted that Jonathan has the constitutional right to contest if he wishes, but stressed that his eligibility would certainly be tested in court.
“President Jonathan reserves the right to run if he wishes. It is his inalienable right to contest the presidency again. President Tinubu will wholeheartedly welcome him if he decides to enter the race,”
“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 in office.” Onanuga said.
Onanuga accused Jonathan of ruining Nigeria’s economy during his six years in office, arguing that the downturn the country experienced began under his watch.
“Let us remind ourselves about Jonathan’s record. We cannot forget in a hurry how his regime, devoid of any clear economic agenda, engaged in frivolous spending, ran the economy aground and put the country in dire straits,” he said.
“The Jonathan administration severely damaged the economy, and all key indicators declined under his watch.”
The presidential aide claimed Jonathan inherited $66 billion in reserves and excess crude account in 2010 but left less than $32 billion by 2015, despite enjoying record oil revenues.
He added that by December 2014, Jonathan’s administration could not pay federal salaries, while at least 28 states were owing workers.
Contrasting Jonathan’s record with Tinubu’s, Onanuga pointed to “bold reforms” such as fuel subsidy removal, unification of exchange rates, and improvements in GDP and reserves.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
