Jonathan Will Have His Day in Court — Presidency Questions Ex-President’s Eligibility, Economic Record

The Presidency has welcomed former President Goodluck Jonathan to the 2027 presidential race but insisted that the courts must determine his constitutional eligibility, given that he was sworn in twice as president.

In a statement released on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, the Presidency said Jonathan’s entry into the race is a matter of law and record.

“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 court,” the statement read.

However, Onanuga criticized efforts by former Information Minister, Professor Jerry Gana, to draft Jonathan into the 2027 contest under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing the move as a self-serving ploy.

“Politicians of Jerry Gana’s ilk merely want to lure him into the race to satisfy their personal, political, religious, and ethnic interests. They will abandon him midstream, as they did in 2015, and leave Gentleman Jonathan in the lurch,” Onanuga said.

The statement accused Jonathan of presiding over what it called a “disastrous” six years, which allegedly left the economy in shambles. 

It claimed Jonathan inherited $66 billion in 2010, $46 billion in foreign reserves and $20 billion in the Excess Crude Account but left office in 2015 with reserves below $30 billion and the ECA reduced to $2 billion.

According to the Presidency, despite record oil revenues averaging $100 per barrel between 2010 and 2013, Jonathan’s administration struggled to pay salaries by late 2014, with at least 28 states owing workers.

The statement further alleged that Jonathan’s government was marred by corruption scandals, including the diversion of security funds under then-National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

Contrasting both leaders, Onanuga highlighted what he described as Tinubu’s “bold reforms” over the past 28 months, citing the removal of fuel subsidy, exchange rate unification, and a rebound in investor confidence.

“GDP grew by 4.23% in Q2 2025, the highest in four years. Inflation has dropped to 20.12%, the lowest in three years. Foreign reserves stand at $42.03 billion. The naira has stabilised, and the economy is back on track,” the statement noted.

The Presidency also listed ongoing infrastructure projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway as part of Tinubu’s achievements.

“Jonathan and others are welcome to the 2027 race. But millions of Nigerians who will not forget the recent past will not allow them to return to run the economy down again,” the statement concluded.