Former Nigerian president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

The Presidency has criticised the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, describing his record in office as “disastrous” while also declaring that he is free to contest against incumbent President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga made the remarks in a statement on Monday, responding to reports that former minister Jerry Gana was working to draft Mr Jonathan into the 2027 race under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Presidency Questions Jonathan’s Record

Mr Onanuga said the Jonathan administration lacked a clear economic agenda, engaged in “frivolous spending,” and left Nigeria’s economy in dire straits.

“We cannot forget in a hurry how his regime, devoid of any clear economic agenda, engaged in frivolous spending, ran the economy aground and put the country in dire straits,” he wrote.

Tinubu’s Record in Comparison

According to the presidency, President Tinubu has taken “bold reforms” in the last 28 months, including:

• Removing fuel subsidy
• Ending multiple exchange rates
• Stabilising the naira
• Growing GDP by 4.23% in Q2 2025
• Increasing foreign reserves to $42 billion
• Reducing inflation to 20.12%

Mr Onanuga argued that these reforms have restored investor confidence and boosted infrastructure development, such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway.

Jonathan Yet to Declare

While some politicians, including Mr Gana, have urged Mr Jonathan to recontest, the former president has not declared his interest in the 2027 elections.

Still, the presidency maintains he is free to run, but warned that Nigerians would not forget the alleged failures of his six-year rule.