Abuja: The Presidency has declared that former President Goodluck Jonathan’s ‘disastrous’ tenure in office will be a major obstacle if he chooses to contest the 2027 presidential election. Presidential Spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, made this known in a strongly worded statement reacting to claims by former Information Minister, Jerry Gana, that Jonathan would run under the PDP in 2027.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Onanuga dismissed Gana’s comments as ‘delusional,’ arguing that Nigerians will remember Jonathan’s dismal record in office, stressing that the former President cannot stage a comeback after 12 years to defeat President Bola Tinubu. Onanuga noted that the march towards the 2027 elections is being prematurely foisted on the nation by the desperation of the opposition ganging up against President Bola Tinubu despite his economic strides.
Onanuga also pointed out the constitutional challenges Jonathan might face if he decides to run, given he was sworn in twice as president. He warned Jonathan against being misled by PDP loyalists like Gana, suggesting their motives were not patriotic. Onanuga further claimed Jonathan would be abandoned by political elites mid-race, as happened in 2015.
The presidency took aim at Jonathan’s legacy, accusing him of economic mismanagement and weak governance. It alleged that his administration engaged in frivolous spending that led to the nation’s economic downturn, which President Tinubu is working hard to overcome. The presidency highlighted issues like foreign exchange misallocation and massive corruption during Jonathan’s time, particularly in security spending.
The presidency also provided economic figures to support its claims, stating that by the time Jonathan left office, the foreign reserves and the Excess Crude Account had significantly depleted, despite high crude oil revenues. It contrasted these points with Tinubu’s achievements, including economic stabilization and infrastructure improvements, asserting that investor confidence has been restored under Tinubu’s leadership.
Onanuga concluded by inviting the opposition to contest the upcoming elections but expressed confidence that Nigerians would remember past records when making their decisions.