The Presidency has responded sharply to recent announcements of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s rumored ambition to contest the 2027 presidential election, asserting that his eligibility and fate will ultimately be determined by the courts. In a statement issued on Monday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, acknowledged Jonathan’s constitutional right to run but cautioned Nigerians not to overlook his “dismal record” in office.
Onanuga dismissed political actors supporting Jonathan’s comeback as self-serving “cheerleaders” seeking to exploit ethnic and religious interests. He warned that Jonathan’s legal eligibility is questionable, given that he has already served two terms as president, and the constitution limits the presidency to a maximum of two terms. The Presidency emphasized that any ambiguity surrounding Jonathan’s candidacy would be settled judicially.
The statement further accused Jonathan’s supporters, including former Minister of Information Jerry Gana who recently confirmed Jonathan’s 2027 presidential bid, of using “sugar-coated” rhetoric aimed at enticing the former president back into political contention. It also reminded the public that Jonathan was abandoned by many allies in the 2015 election and could face a similar fate.
Despite the firm stance, the Presidency stated President Bola Tinubu would “wholeheartedly welcome” Jonathan should he decide to run, while highlighting the incumbent’s “giant economic strides” as a benchmark against Jonathan’s legacy.
This development underscores the heightened political tensions as parties prepare for the upcoming elections, with legal battles and political narratives expected to play significant roles.
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