The Presidency on Monday said former President Goodluck Jonathan has the right to contest the 2027 presidential election but criticised his past administration for poor economic management and wasteful spending.
The clarification came in response to comments by former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, who recently claimed that Jonathan would run for president on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a statement signed by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said Jonathan is free to enter the race but cautioned him against being swayed by PDP “sugar-coated cheerleaders” pursuing personal, ethnic, or political interests.
“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,” the statement read.
However, it added that Jonathan would have to confront questions about his eligibility—having previously been sworn in twice—as well as his economic record.
The Presidency accused Jonathan’s administration of lacking a clear economic agenda, depleting reserves despite record oil revenues, and mismanaging funds. It noted that foreign reserves fell from $66 billion in 2010 to below $30 billion in 2015, while the Excess Crude Account dropped from $20 billion to $2 billion. It also alleged misuse of security funds under Jonathan and his then-National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.
By contrast, the statement highlighted what it described as “giant strides” under President Bola Tinubu in the last 28 months, including removal of fuel subsidy, unification of exchange rates, and infrastructure projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. It said GDP growth reached 4.23 percent in the second quarter of 2025, while inflation fell to 20.12 percent, the lowest in three years.
The Presidency concluded that while Jonathan is welcome to contest, Nigerians are unlikely to forget the economic downturn under his leadership.
