Abuja — The Presidency has declared that former President Goodluck Jonathan’s poor governance record will be his greatest obstacle if he chooses to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga stated this on Monday in Abuja, while reacting to comments by former Information Minister Prof. Jerry Gana, who suggested Jonathan could run on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Onanuga dismissed Gana’s remarks as “delusional,” stressing that Nigerians would not forget Jonathan’s “disastrous tenure” and arguing that the former President cannot return after 12 years to unseat President Bola Tinubu.
“Jonathan bequeathed a legacy of economic ruins after 16 years of PDP misrule. To imagine that he can return to defeat President Tinubu is nothing short of fantasy,” Onanuga said.
The presidency further noted that Jonathan’s eligibility may face constitutional challenges, as he had already been sworn in twice, raising questions about a potential third term.
Onanuga cautioned Jonathan against being misled by “sugar-coated promises” from PDP loyalists, warning that he could again be abandoned midway, just as in 2015.
Jonathan’s Economic Record Under Fire
The statement painted a grim picture of Jonathan’s administration, accusing it of economic mismanagement, frivolous spending, and widespread corruption.
According to Onanuga, Jonathan inherited $66 billion in reserves and excess crude savings in 2010, but by the time he left office in 2015, reserves had dropped below $30 billion while the Excess Crude Account was depleted to $2 billion, despite record oil revenues.
“Under Jonathan, foreign reserves were squandered, corruption flourished, and by late 2014, even federal salaries and state workers’ wages could not be paid,” he said.
The presidency also cited the Dasuki arms scandal as an example of massive corruption during Jonathan’s government.
Tinubu’s Gains in Contrast
Onanuga contrasted Jonathan’s record with President Tinubu’s economic reforms, claiming that bold decisions such as subsidy removal and exchange rate unification had begun stabilizing the economy.
He pointed to recent figures showing GDP growth of 4.23% in Q2 2025, inflation down to 20.12% (lowest in three years), and foreign reserves at $42.03 billion, alongside renewed investor confidence.
“In just over two years, Tinubu has stabilised the economy, restored investor trust, and taken decisive steps to strengthen infrastructure and security,” he added.
2027: Opposition Free, But Records Matter
Onanuga concluded that while Jonathan and the PDP are free to contest in 2027, Nigerians will ultimately decide based on performance and past records.
“Millions of Nigerians will not allow those who broke the economy before to return and run it down again,” he said.
