The Nigerian Presidency has sharply fired back at speculation that former President Goodluck Jonathan might seek a return to office in 2027, condemning both the ambition and those encouraging it. In a sweeping statement released by the Presidency’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the administration not only warned Jonathan against being misled, but called Professor Jerry Gana—who publicly vouches for Jonathan’s return—a “sugar-coated cheerleader” whose motives are suspect.
Context: Gana’s Bold Declaration
Professor Jerry Gana, a longtime PDP stalwart and former Minister of Information, has recently ramped up political speculation by asserting that Goodluck Jonathan will run for president again in 2027 under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Speaking during the Niger State PDP congress in Minna, Gana told journalists:
> “We have seen two leaders after Jonathan. Nigerians see the difference now. I can confirm Jonathan will contest the 2027 presidential election on the PDP platform.”
He framed Jonathan’s potential candidacy as a response to “yearning” among Nigerians for a return of what Gana calls “our friend, former President Jonathan.” Gana also dismissed internal PDP turbulence, citing a consultative conference and expressing optimism that the party is unified and ready for the 2027 contest.
Gana’s declaration came just days after PDP sources emphasized that Jonathan would not receive an “automatic ticket,” calling him merely “one of the options” among many potential contenders.
Presidency Fires Back: Dismissal and Caution
The Presidency’s response, issued via Onanuga, was brutal. While acknowledging Jonathan’s constitutional right to contest, the statement insisted that the former president’s record remains a heavy political burden. The administration described the campaign talk as a “cacophony of voices, most of them full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”
Key elements of the Presidency’s counterarguments include:
Labeling Gana’s Role: Onanuga accused Jerry Gana of being a “sugar-coated cheerleader” whose role is to entice Jonathan into a contest for motivations rooted in personal, religious, ethnic, or factional interests. The statement warns Jonathan against being “abandoned midstream” as he was in 2015.
Revisiting Jonathan’s Track Record: The administration reproached Jonathan’s 2010–2015 tenure, citing alleged mismanagement of oil revenue, depletion of foreign reserves, reckless spending, and corruption — claims often levied against the former government. Onanuga argued that despite huge oil income during Jonathan’s years, foreign reserves fell from about $46 billion to under $30 billion, and the Excess Crude Account was drained to $2 billion.
Constitutional and Perceptual Hurdles: The statement warned that Jonathan’s eligibility might face legal challenges, given that he has already been sworn in twice as president. More broadly, it suggested that public opinion would likely judge whether he has anything genuinely new to offer after his first stint in office.
Comparative Claims about Tinubu’s Tenure: The Presidency contrasted Jonathan’s record with what it describes as the “giant economic strides” under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Citing macroeconomic indicators, the administration pointed to Nigeria’s GDP growth in Q2 2025 (4.23 %), inflation easing to around 20.12 %, foreign reserves hovering at $42 billion, and efforts to stabilize the naira and attract investment.
While the statement closed by welcoming Jonathan’s entry if he wished, it left no ambiguity: the Presidency would contest any narrative that glosses over his past record.
Implications for 2027 and Political Messaging
The sparring between the Presidency and Gana underscores how early 2027 election posturing has become. The rhetorical volleys serve multiple strategic functions:
1. Preemptive Framing: By aggressively relitigating Jonathan’s legacy now, the Presidency aims to inoculate voters against a nostalgia-based comeback narrative long before formal campaigns begin.
2. Skepticism toward Drafting Politics: The “cheerleader” claim casts suspicion on intra-party plots to foist certain candidates onto public sentiment, a sensitivity well known in Nigerian political culture.
3. Mobilizing the Base: In reminding the electorate of past grievances—especially around economic decline and corruption—the current administration seeks to rally its supporters around continuity narratives and reforms.
4. Setting Legal and Political Barriers: Flags about constitutional eligibility and public acceptability may pave the way for preemptive legal or moral arguments against Jonathan’s candidacy.
Meanwhile, Jonathan’s side appears to be navigating carefully, neither confirming nor denying publicly a full-blown campaign launch. Some reports suggest internal consultations and stakeholder engagements are already underway.
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