The Presidency has welcomed former President Goodluck Jonathan to the 2027 presidential race, describing it as his “inalienable right” to contest.
“Don’t get us wrong: President Jonathan reserves the right to run if he wishes. it is his inalienable right to contest the presidency again. President Tinubu will wholeheartedly welcome him if he decides to enter the race.”
However, Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga emphasized that Nigerians will remember Jonathan’s “dismal record” in office, citing economic mismanagement and corruption during his administration. Onanuga highlighted that Jonathan’s administration severely damaged the economy, with foreign reserves falling from $66 billion to below $30 billion and the Excess Crude Account depleted to $2 billion by 2015.
“The Jonathan administration severely damaged the economy, and all key indicators declined under his watch. Under him, the so-called business moguls allocated foreign exchange to import fuel, simply pocketing the dollars without importing anything. Some of those big men still have court cases on the issue today.”
The presidency accused Jonathan’s administration of widespread corruption, particularly in security spending, citing his former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki.
“Jonathan and his National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), freely distributed security funds to friends and cronies.”
Onanuga noted that Jonathan’s eligibility to contest may be determined by the courts, given he was sworn in twice as president and could face constitutional hurdles seeking a third term.
President Bola Tinubu’s administration is open to Jonathan’s participation in the 2027 race, but Onanuga stressed that Nigerians will not forget his past governance record.
However, Professor Jerry Gana, former Minister of Information, Gana, has expressed support for Jonathan’s candidacy, claiming Nigerians are demanding his return after experiencing different administrations since he left office in 2015.
Human Rights Lawyer Chidi Odinkalu, a human rights lawyer, has also argued that Jonathan’s eligibility to contest may be limited by the 1999 Constitution, which places a limit on the number of times a person can be sworn in as president.
