The Presidency has welcomed the reported plan by former President Goodluck Jonathan to enter the 2027 presidential race but stressed that Nigerians will not forget his poor performance in office.
The statement, issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, came as opposition elements intensified their moves against President Bola Tinubu despite the administration’s economic reforms.
Attention had been drawn to comments by former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, who was leading efforts to draft Jonathan into the contest on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The party was accused of having left behind a legacy of economic ruin after 16 years in power.
The Presidency noted that Jonathan had a constitutional hurdle to cross since he had been sworn in twice as president, and the courts would determine whether he was eligible to seek another term.
Beyond that, Jonathan was expected to face Nigerians who had voted him out in 2015 after what was described as a disastrous six years in power.
The administration recalled that under Jonathan, the economy suffered from the absence of a clear agenda, reckless spending, and widespread corruption.
His government had inherited $66 billion in reserves and the Excess Crude Account in 2010, but by 2015 reserves had fallen below $30 billion, while the Excess Crude Account had been depleted to $2 billion despite record oil revenues.
By the end of his tenure, the government could not pay salaries, and 28 states owed workers large arrears.
Security funds were also said to have been diverted under Jonathan and his former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), while several business moguls allegedly enriched themselves through fraudulent foreign exchange allocations.
In contrast, the Presidency highlighted that President Tinubu had, in the last 28 months, taken tough economic decisions that reset the economy.
Fuel subsidy was removed, multiple exchange rates were abolished, and bold reforms were instituted.
By the second quarter of 2025, GDP grew by 4.23 per cent, the fastest in four years, while inflation fell to 20.12 per cent in August, the lowest level in three years.
Foreign reserves rose to $42.03 billion, the naira stabilised, and investor confidence returned.
The administration said Nigerians were beginning to reap the benefits of these reforms, with improvements in infrastructure, new highways under construction, and security being strengthened in troubled areas.
It noted that while Jonathan and other aspirants were free to join the 2027 race, Nigerians, remembering the economic collapse under his watch, would not allow a return to the past.
PR/Bello Wakili
