THE Presidency has reacted sharply to reports suggesting that former President Goodluck Jonathan is being drafted into the 2027 presidential race by opposition figures, warning that Nigerians will not forget what it described as his “dismal record” in office.
The response, issued in a statement on Monday, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy received by News Point Nigeria, came amid speculation that the former president may emerge as a candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) following remarks by veteran politician Professor Jerry Gana.
Gana had reportedly boasted that Jonathan could defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and reclaim power after 12 years. But the State House dismissed the claim as “absurd,” arguing that Jonathan’s candidacy, if true, would only remind Nigerians of a troubled past.
“Jonathan reserves the right to run if he wishes. It is his inalienable right. President Tinubu will even welcome him into the race.
“But Jonathan will face the Nigerian people and answer whether he has anything new to offer after his disastrous six years, for which he was democratically voted out in 2015,” the statement said.
The Presidency accused Jonathan’s administration of reckless spending, corruption, and economic mismanagement, recalling how he allegedly squandered $66 billion in reserves and Excess Crude Account funds between 2010 and 2015.
By the time he left office, it noted, foreign reserves had fallen below $30 billion and the Excess Crude Account was depleted to $2 billion.
The statement further alleged that despite crude oil selling at an average of $100 per barrel during much of Jonathan’s tenure, many states and even the federal government struggled to pay salaries.
It also referenced the controversial diversion of security funds under the watch of Jonathan and his then National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.).
In contrast, the Presidency praised President Tinubu’s 28 months in office, highlighting bold reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of exchange rates.
It claimed these steps had restored investor confidence, stabilised the naira, and pushed GDP growth to 4.23% in Q2 2025, outpacing IMF projections.
“In plain language, the nation has turned the corner. Nigerians are already reaping the benefits of Tinubu’s bold reforms from stabilised currency and stronger reserves to infrastructure renewal and security improvements,” the statement read.
The Presidency warned Jonathan against being “lured” into the race by opposition figures motivated by selfish interests, stressing that Nigerians would not allow those who “broke the economy before” to return and “run it down again.”