BREAKING: Presidency Slams Jonathan 2027 Draft, Says Nigerians Remember His Failures
ABUJA – A fiery press release from the Statehouse this morning has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, welcoming former President Goodluck Jonathan to the 2027 presidential race while simultaneously launching a scathing critique of his past administration.
In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), the Statehouse declared that “FORMER PRESIDENT JONATHAN IS WELCOME TO THE RACE. NIGERIANS WILL REMEMBER HIS DISMAL RECORD IN OFFICE.”
The release frames the emerging political discourse as “prematurely foisted on the nation by the desperation of the opposition ganging up against President Bola Tinubu,” despite what it terms President Tinubu’s “glaring giant economic strides.”
The statement specifically targets Professor Jerry Gana, former Minister of Information, for allegedly attempting to draft Jonathan into the 2027 race under the banner of the “discredited People’s Democratic Party (PDP).” Onanuga dismisses Gana’s assertion that Jonathan could defeat President Tinubu as mere “delusion” and “comedy.”
While affirming Jonathan’s “inalienable right to contest the presidency again,” the Statehouse press release issues a stark warning to the former president: “Jonathan will have his date in the court of the land. Indeed, the jury will determine whether Jonathan, who was sworn in twice as president, satisfies the constitutional requirements and is eligible to contest the presidency and be sworn in, if successful, for a third term in office.”
The statement then delves into a detailed recall of Jonathan’s economic record, alleging “frivolous spending,” running “the economy aground,” and “severe damage” to key indicators. It highlights the depletion of foreign reserves from $46 billion to below $30 billion and the Excess Crude Account from $20 billion to $2 billion under Jonathan’s watch, despite high crude oil prices. The Statehouse also referenced allegations of security funds distribution to “friends and cronies” and instances of “business moguls” pocketing foreign exchange without importing fuel.
In stark contrast, the press release extols President Tinubu’s administration, citing “bold decisions” like the removal of fuel subsidies and the abolition of multiple exchange rates. It boasts of a stabilized economy, with a 2025 Q2 GDP growth of 4.23%, inflation decreasing to 20.12% in August 2025, and foreign reserves standing at $42.03 billion.
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The Statehouse concludes by welcoming Jonathan and “others” to the 2027 race, but asserts that “millions of Nigerians who will not easily forget the recent past will not allow them to return to run it down again.”
This aggressive statement marks an early and intense opening salvo in the build-up to the 2027 elections, signaling a fierce contest ahead and setting the stage for a robust public debate over economic legacies and constitutional eligibility.
