The Presidency has reacted to reports of moves to draft former President Goodluck Jonathan into the 2027 presidential contest, saying while he is free to run, Nigerians will remember what it described as his “disastrous record” in office.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, issued the statement on Monday, dismissing recent remarks by Professor Jerry Gana, who suggested Jonathan could return on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform and defeat Tinubu.
Onanuga said: “Jonathan reserves the right to run if he wishes. President Tinubu will wholeheartedly welcome him if he decides to enter the race.
“But Jonathan will have his date in the court of the land on his eligibility and his encounter with the people over his dismal record.”
The statement accused Jonathan of running the economy aground between 2010 and 2015, citing depleted reserves, mismanagement of oil revenues, and diversion of security funds.
By contrast, Onanuga said Tinubu has stabilised the economy, reformed fuel and forex policies, grown GDP by 4.23% in Q2 2025, reduced inflation to 20.12%, and restored investor confidence.
“The nation has turned the corner. The PDP broke the economy; President Tinubu is fixing it,” he said.
The Presidency warned that Nigerians will not “allow those who wrecked the country before to return and run it down again.”