By Emmanuel Kwada
A fiery statement from the State House has ignited political tensions ahead of the 2027 Nigerian presidential elections, as President Bola Tinubu’s administration sharply criticized former President Goodluck Jonathan’s rumored candidacy under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The press release, issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, dismisses Jonathan’s potential bid as a desperate move by the opposition, warning Nigerians to recall his “dismal record” in office.
The controversy stems from remarks by Professor Jerry Gana, a former Minister of Information, who claimed Jonathan would contest the 2027 election on the PDP platform and defeat Tinubu. Onanuga’s statement, laced with biting rhetoric, described Gana’s assertion as “absurd” and accused PDP leaders of luring Jonathan into the race to serve their “personal, political, religious, and ethnic interests.”
The release cautioned Jonathan against being swayed by “sugar-coated cheerleaders” who abandoned him during his 2015 loss.
The statement challenges Jonathan’s eligibility, noting his two prior terms as president (2010–2015) may raise constitutional questions about a third term.
It urges Nigerians to judge Jonathan based on his six-year tenure, which it claims left the economy in “ruins” through “frivolous spending” and mismanagement.
The release highlighted the depletion of Nigeria’s foreign reserves from $46 billion in 2010 to below $30 billion by 2015, and the Excess Crude Account from $20 billion to $2 billion, despite high oil revenues.
It also accused Jonathan’s administration of enabling corruption, citing the misallocation of security funds under former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki and fraudulent foreign exchange schemes.
The PDP and Jerry Gana’s co-travellers broke the economy; President Tinubu is fixing it
In contrast, the statement praised Tinubu’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and multiple exchange rates, which it credits for stabilizing the naira and boosting investor confidence.
It cited a 4.23% GDP growth in Q2 2025, a drop in inflation to 20.12% in August, and foreign reserves at $42.03 billion as evidence of progress. Infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway were also highlighted as achievements of Tinubu’s 28-month tenure.
The release concluded with a defiant tone, welcoming Jonathan to the race but warning that Nigerians, wary of the PDP’s “legacy of economic ruins,” would not allow a return to past failures. “The PDP and Jerry Gana’s co-travellers broke the economy; President Tinubu is fixing it,” Onanuga declared.
As the 2027 election looms, this sharp rebuke signals an intensifying political battle, with Tinubu’s camp framing the opposition’s moves as a distraction from the administration’s economic strides. Whether Jonathan will formally enter the race remains unclear, but the State House’s salvo has set the stage for a contentious campaign season.
