Former President Goodluck Jonathan has announced his interest in the 2027 presidential race, but questions have emerged about whether a two-term president can meet constitutional requirements to contest again.
The matter is expected to be decided by the courts.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, criticized Jonathan’s record, asserting that his administration left Nigeria in economic difficulty.
In a statement, Onanuga said:
“As we begin the march towards the 2027 elections, prematurely foisted on the nation by a desperate opposition ganging up against President Bola Tinubu despite his significant economic strides, we are once again regaled with a cacophony of voices—most full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
“One recent example is Professor Jerry Gana’s attempt to draft former President Goodluck Jonathan into the 2027 race on the platform of the discredited People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which left the economy in ruins after 16 years of bad governance. Gana even claimed Jonathan could defeat President Tinubu to reclaim power after 12 years.
“Professor Gana is free to indulge in his usual theatrics, but Jonathan should be cautious of PDP figures like him, who seek to advance personal, political, religious, and ethnic interests. History shows such allies abandon candidates midstream, as happened in 2015.
“That said, President Jonathan has the inalienable right to run if he chooses. He will also face the courts to determine whether he, having been sworn in twice, meets constitutional eligibility for a third term. Beyond legality, Nigerians will decide whether Jonathan has anything new to offer after his six-year tenure, during which they voted him out.
“Jonathan’s record cannot be overlooked. His administration lacked a clear economic agenda, engaged in frivolous spending, and left the economy in dire straits. Under his watch, foreign exchange meant for fuel imports was misallocated by business moguls, and security funds were freely distributed to friends and cronies.
“When Jonathan assumed office in 2010, Nigeria had $66 billion in reserves—$46 billion in foreign reserves and $20 billion in the Excess Crude Account. By 2015, foreign reserves had fallen below $30 billion and the Excess Crude Account to $2 billion, despite record oil revenues. Between 2010 and 2013, crude sold for an average of $100 per barrel. By December 2014, the government could not pay federal civil servant salaries, and at least 28 states owed workers massive arrears.
“In contrast, President Tinubu’s administration has taken decisive steps to reset the economy. The ruinous fuel subsidy was removed, multiple exchange rates were abolished, and arbitrage opportunities eliminated. In just over two years, GDP grew 4.23% in Q2 2025, inflation fell to 20.12%, foreign reserves reached $42.03 billion, and the Naira stabilized. Investor confidence has returned, infrastructure projects are ongoing, and security concerns are being addressed.
“The point is clear: PDP and their allies broke the economy, while President Tinubu is fixing it. Former President Jonathan and others are welcome to the 2027 race, but Nigerians will not forget the economic mismanagement of the past.”
