The Presidency, through President Bola Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, issued a strong rebuke to the reported decision of former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). A chieftain of the PDP, Prof. Jerry Gana, had confirmed the news. This immediately set up the Jonathan 2027 eligibility challenge.
The reaction focused on two key areas: Jonathan’s constitutional eligibility for a third term and the poor economic record of his administration. Onanuga stated the court must decide Jonathan’s eligibility. He questioned whether Jonathan, sworn in twice as president, satisfied constitutional requirements to run again.
Court Must Decide Third-Term Eligibility
The Presidency welcomed Jonathan’s entry into the race. However, Onanuga stressed that Jonathan “will have his date in the court of the land.” He questioned whether the former leader can run for a third term under the current constitutional requirements. (See Nigerian Constitution Section 137 on Presidential Terms: [Outbound Link to Nigerian Constitution]).
Onanuga also warned Jonathan against PDP cheerleaders like Prof. Gana. He claimed these politicians merely want to lure Jonathan into the race to satisfy their “personal, political, religious, and ethnic interests,” and would later abandon him, as they did in 2015. This political posturing fuels the Jonathan 2027 eligibility challenge.
Blame for Economic Downturn and Depleted Reserves
The statement attacked Jonathan’s economic management. The Presidency blamed his regime for the nation’s economic downturn. They claimed his government lacked a clear economic agenda and engaged in “frivolous spending.”
Key Economic Allegations:
- Reserves Collapse: Jonathan inherited $66 billion in total reserves in 2010. By 2015, Foreign Reserves fell below $30 billion. The Excess Crude Account (ECA) was depleted to $2 billion.
- Failed Payments: Despite high oil prices (average $100/barrel, 2010-2013), the Federal Government could not pay civil servants’ salaries by December 2014. At least 28 states owed workers huge salary arrears.
- Corruption: The statement cited the free distribution of security funds to “friends and cronies.” It also mentioned “business moguls” who pocketed foreign exchange for fuel imports without actually importing.
Tinubu Administration “Fixing” the Economy
The Presidency then contrasted Jonathan’s record with President Tinubu’s achievements:
- Economic Stability: Tinubu implemented bold reforms, removing the fuel subsidy and abolishing multiple exchange rates. (For details on the impact, read our report on [Internal Link to Tinubu’s Economic Reforms]).
- Growth Figures: GDP grew by 4.23% in 2025 Q2. Inflation decreased to 20.12% in August 2025. Foreign Reserves currently stand at $42.03 billion.
- Conclusion: The Presidency declared, “The PDP and Jerry Gana’s co-travellers broke the economy; President Tinubu is fixing it.” They concluded that millions of Nigerians will not allow them to return and run the economy down again, strengthening the focus of the Jonathan 2027 eligibility challenge on his past performance.
