Yemi Obafemi
The Presidency has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would wholeheartedly welcome former President Goodluck Jonathan if he decides to contest the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement posted on his X handle, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy said Jonathan reserves the constitutional right to seek the presidency again. However, he noted that the courts would ultimately decide whether Jonathan, who was sworn in twice, is eligible to contest and potentially serve a third term.
“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. But Jonathan will have his date in the court of the land” the statement read in part.
The presidency also reacted to comments by Professor Jerry Gana, former Minister of Information, who claimed Jonathan would defeat Tinubu to reclaim power after 12 years. Describing the claim as “absurd,” the statement criticised attempts to draft Jonathan into the 2027 race on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which it accused of leaving behind “a legacy of economic ruins after 16 years of bad governance.”
Highlighting Jonathan’s record, the statement said his administration depleted foreign reserves from $46 billion in 2010 to below $30 billion in 2015, while the Excess Crude Account fell from $20 billion to $2 billion. It further alleged mismanagement of oil revenues, diversion of security funds, and widespread corruption.
“In contrast, President Tinubu has taken bold decisions to reset the economy,” it continued.
Pointing to the removal of fuel subsidy, unification of exchange rates, and macroeconomic improvements.
According to the presidency, GDP growth reached 4.23% in Q2 2025, inflation dropped to 20.12% in August the lowest in three years and foreign reserves rose to $42.03 billion.
The statement added that Tinubu’s administration is restoring investor confidence, stabilising the naira, and investing in infrastructure, citing the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto Badagry Highway projects.
“President Jonathan and others are welcome to the 2027 race. They broke the economy before, but millions of Nigerians will not allow them to return and run it down again,” it concluded.
