Ofonime UMANAH
The Presidency appear to have gone into panic mood, following recent media publications concerning the touted aspiration of Dr Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 election against the sitting president, Bola Tinubu.
The panicky posturing of The Presidency became public knowledge after Prof Jerry Gana, a former minister of information, declared that Jonathan would contest the election against Tinubu, so that Nigeria could have some fresh air again.
Gana’s declaration had come after a Camerounian prophet declared that Jonathan would not only contest, but would win because of the need to reconstruct and fix Nigeria.
The developments may have made Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s media adviser not to reason properly, as he took over a role that ought to have been performed either by the APC, Tinubu’s political party, or by the campaign organisation that brought Tinubu to power.
In dealing with the situation, Onanuga forgot to remember that the office he occupies belongs to Nigerians, irrespective of political party. He turned himself to the spokesman of a political organisation whose candidate’s aspiration was under serious threat.
In his media statement on Tuesday, Onanuga however acknowledged the right of Jonathan to seek a re-election, but made certain factual blunders in his assessment of the Jonathan years as president of Nigeria.
He also forgot to remember that a Yenagoa high court had, two years ago, ruled that Jonathan was eligible to contest the 2027 elections, a judgement that has not been appealed till date, before the expiration of the appeal window.
Onanuga, rather than concentrate on his official duties as spokesman of the president decided to descend into the arena, presenting himself more as an attack dog for those angling to succeed his boss, instead of acting in his official capacity as spokesman for the president who is paid with tax payers’ money.
In the statement, the presidential aide said: “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 also said: “Let us remind ourselves about Jonathan’s record. 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. The nation’s economic downturn, which President Tinubu is working very hard to overcome, actually began under President Jonathan. The Jonathan administration severely damaged the economy, and all key indicators declined under his watch.
“Under him, the so-called business moguls allocated foreign exchange to import fuel, simply pocketing the dollars without importing anything. Some of those big men still have court cases on the issue today.
“In 2010, President Jonathan inherited a total of $66 billion, of which $46 billion was in foreign reserves and $20 billion in the noble-but-abused Excess Crude Account. By 2015, when the people democratically removed him from office, the foreign reserves had fallen below $30 billion, and the Excess Crude Account had been depleted to $2 billion, despite generating record revenue from crude oil sales that the country had never achieved in more than 25 years combined.
“It is on record that between 2010 and 2013, crude oil sold for an average of $100 per barrel. By December 2014, however, the Jonathan-led Federal Government could no longer pay salaries to Federal Civil Servants. At least 28 states across the country owed workers huge salary arrears.
“In contrast, President Tinubu has taken bold decisions over the last 28 months to reset the economy, removing the ruinous fuel subsidy and abolishing multiple exchange rates, which paved the way for arbitrage to flourish.
“The President has stabilised the economy in slightly over two years in office. In 2025 Q2, the Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.23%, the highest in four years, outpacing the 3.4% projected by the International Monetary Fund.
“Inflation decreased to 20.12% in August 2025, the lowest level in three years. The foreign reserves stand presently at $42. 03 billion. The Naira has virtually stabilised. Investor confidence in our economy has been restored, and investors are betting on Nigeria.
His position has since been poo-pooed by Nathaniel Michael Goodnews, the Chairman, PDP National Youth Movement in Bayelsa State.
In a statement on Tuesday, hours after Onanuga’s, Goodnews wrote that the presidential aide failed in his bid to sit the truth on its head.
His statement is here reproduced:
The attention of the public has been drawn to the State House press statement of September 29, 2025, signed by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, which sought to diminish the record of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonatha, GCFR, while overstating the achievements of the present administration. For the sake of truth and history, it is necessary to set the records straight with verifiable facts.
1. ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE UNDER JONATHAN
Strong GDP Growth: Between 2010 and 2014, Nigeria’s GDP grew at an average of 6.5%, one of the fastest in the world (World Bank/IMF data). In 2013, following a rebasing exercise, Nigeria’s economy became the largest in Africa, valued at over $510 billion.
Diversification: Agriculture, services, and ICT recorded significant growth. Nollywood became the second-largest film industry globally, contributing over $7 billion annually to GDP.
Foreign Direct Investment: Nigeria attracted over $20 billion in FDI between 2010 and 2014 (UNCTAD data), ranking among Africa’s top destinations.
2. DEBT AND RESERVES MANAGEMENT
Debt Profile: As at May 2015, Nigeria’s total public debt stood at ₦12.12 trillion ($63.81bn), representing less than 13% of GDP (Debt Management Office, 2015). Today, under the current administration, public debt has surged past ₦100 trillion, raising sustainability concerns.
Reserves and Oil Revenue: In 2010, reserves were $45.9bn; by 2014, despite the global oil price crash from over $100 to below $50 per barrel, reserves stood at $34.5bn (CBN data). The decline was a global shock, not evidence of mismanagement.
Salary Bailouts: It is false that Jonathan’s Federal Government could not pay salaries. In 2014–2015, Jonathan approved ₦338 billion bailout funds for states struggling with salary arrears due to falling oil prices.
3. INSTITUTIONAL AND TRANSPARENCY REFORMS
President Jonathan introduced and implemented key reforms still in use today:
Treasury Single Account (TSA) – streamlined government revenues.
Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) – eliminated thousands of ghost workers.
Bank Verification Number (BVN) – strengthened banking transparency.
These reforms were internationally recognised by the World Bank and IMF as steps towards fiscal discipline.
4. SECURITY AND DEMOCRACY
By March 2015, Jonathan’s government had reclaimed 14 of 16 local government areas earlier seized by Boko Haram in the Northeast, with support from regional forces (Chad, Niger, Cameroon).
Most importantly, Jonathan made history by conceding defeat in the 2015 presidential election—the first peaceful transfer of power in Nigeria’s democratic history—earning global respect and stabilising the nation.
5. TINUBU’S CLAIMED “GIANT STRIDES” VS REALITY
While the State House highlights selective statistics, reality on the ground tells a different story:
Inflation: Headline inflation stands at 20.12% (NBS, Aug. 2025), but food inflation exceeds 31%, the highest in a decade, worsening hunger for ordinary Nigerians.
Poverty: Over 133 million Nigerians remain in multidimensional poverty (NBS, 2022), with no significant reduction since Tinubu assumed office.
Investment Climate: Despite claims of “investor confidence,” multinationals such as GlaxoSmithKline and Procter & Gamble exited Nigeria between 2023–2024, citing harsh economic conditions.
Debt Surge: Nigeria’s debt profile has more than doubled in two years, surpassing ₦100 trillion, despite record revenues from oil and taxes.
6. ON 2027 AND JONATHAN’S ELIGIBILITY
The press release questions Jonathan’s eligibility to contest. For clarity:
The Nigerian Constitution (Section 137) bars anyone elected twice as president not swearing in. Jonathan was elected once (2011) and completed the tenure of his late predecessor, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Legal authorities and constitutional experts affirm his eligibility remains intact at least for a single tenure should he choose to contest.
CONCLUSION
Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s record is one of economic growth, democratic consolidation, and institutional reform—not the “disaster” described by the State House.
Attempts to rewrite history cannot erase:
Nigeria’s emergence as Africa’s largest economy under Jonathan.
His democratic sacrifice in 2015 that preserved national unity.
The enduring reforms still driving transparency in governance today.
Nigerians will judge leaders not by propaganda but by lived realities. In 2027, as always, sovereignty will rest with the people at the ballot box—not with press statements designed to distort history.
I repeat! History cannot be rewritten by press statements. The Nigerian people—and only the people—will decide the future in 2027.
“You may distort history for a season, but you cannot imprison truth forever. In the end, it is the people who will judge, not propaganda.”
