News Update

THE Presidency yesterday said former President Goodluck Jonathan is free to contest the 2027 presidential election but insisted that Nigerians would remember what it described as his poor performance in office.

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated this in a press released, while reacting to claims by former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, that Jonathan would be on the ballot under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Onanuga faulted Gana’s push for Jonathan’s return, describing it as “absurd,” and warned the former president to be wary of politicians seeking to lure him into the race for their selfish interests.

According to him: “Don’t get us wrong: 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.

“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.”

He further noted that Jonathan’s years in office left Nigeria’s economy in ruins, citing depletion of foreign reserves, abuse of security funds, and widespread salary arrears.

The presidential aide contrasted this with what he described as Tinubu’s bold economic reforms, saying the President had stabilised the economy within two years of assuming office.

Onanuga stressed that while Jonathan and the PDP were welcome to the contest, Nigerians would not easily forget the hardships of the past under their watch.