Jerry Gana Calls for Goodluck Jonathan’s 2027 Comeback, Presidency Fires Back
When Jerry Gana, former Minister of Information and a senior figure in the Peoples Democratic Party, stepped onto the podium in Minna, Niger State on September 28, 2025, he made a claim that sent shockwaves through Abuja’s political corridors: Nigerians, weary after eight years under Muhammadu Buhari and two years under Bola Tinubu, now want former President Goodluck Jonathan back, and that the ex‑president would contest the 2027 election on the PDP ticket.
Background: Nigeria’s Recent Political Landscape
Since taking office in May 2015, Buhari’s administration wrestled with a recession, foreign exchange scarcity and a security crisis that left the country’s GDP growth hovering around a modest 1.5 %. Tinubu, who succeeded him in May 2023, has touted a turnaround – inflation slipped to 20.12 % in August 2025, the lowest point in three years, and foreign reserves rose to $42.03 billion, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria. Yet, pollsters from Pulse Analytics reported that 48 % of respondents still felt “economic hardship” defined their daily lives, a sentiment that fuels nostalgia for the perceived stability of the pre‑Buhari era.
Gana’s Provocative Claim in Minna
Speaking after the Niger State chapter of the PDP elected new officials, Gana said, “In 2015, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan said his ambition is not worth the blood of Nigerians. After him another president ruled for eight years and now another has ruled for two years. Nigerians have seen the difference and the difference is very clear. Nigerians are now asking us to bring back our friend, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.” He added that Jonathan, aged 71, would file his nomination papers in early 2027.
The statement echoed Gana’s remarks at a NOSCEF event in Kaduna on September 27, where he argued that “Nigeria deserves excellent leaders in 2027.” Critics pointed out that Jonathan’s 2015 defeat was accompanied by a record of stalled infrastructure projects and a controversial anti‑corruption drive that left many ministries under‑staffed.
Presidential Office’s Sharp Rebuttal
Two days later, the presidency, through spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, dismissed Gana’s claims as “delusional.” Onanuga told reporters, “Nigerians will remember Jonathan’s dismal record in office and the former President cannot stage a comeback after 12 years to defeat President Tinubu.” He also framed Gana’s comments as an “absurdity” designed to “prematurely foist” an opposition narrative onto the nation.
The office highlighted recent macro‑economic gains, noting the decline in inflation and the surge in foreign reserves as evidence that Tinubu’s policies are bearing fruit. “We are marching toward elections with an economy that is on a recovery path,” Onanuga said, adding that “any suggestion of a 'return' to past leadership must be judged against tangible outcomes, not nostalgia.”
PDP’s Internal Disavowal
On September 30, 2025, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary issued a formal statement distancing the party from Gana’s remarks. The party stressed that it “has other qualified candidates for the 2027 election” and that Gana’s statements were made “without prior consultation with party leadership.” The move underscored growing fissures within the PDP, where senior figures such as former Senate President Ifeanyi Ubah have called for a “fresh slate” of candidates to rejuvenate the party’s image.
Political analysts at the Nigerian Institute of Strategic Studies warned that the spat could damage the PDP’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 primaries, noting that “public disagreements among senior party members tend to erode voter confidence, especially when the electorate is already skeptical after years of perceived misrule.”
What the Numbers Say: Economic Context
- Inflation: 20.12 % in August 2025 (down from 33 % in 2022).
- Foreign reserves: $42.03 billion as of September 2025.
- Unemployment: 33.5 % nationwide, with youth unemployment exceeding 45 %.
- GDP growth Q2 2025: 3.2 % year‑on‑year.
- Public debt‑to‑GDP ratio: 28 % (below the 2020 peak of 44 %).
While macro indicators show improvement, lived experiences diverge. A recent Lagos market survey revealed that 62 % of small‑business owners still struggle to access affordable credit, and power outages average 10 hours per day across the southern belt.
Implications for the 2027 Election
If Jonathan were to re‑enter the race, constitutional scholars remind us that the 1999 Constitution limits presidents to two terms, regardless of whether those terms are non‑consecutive. The Supreme Court ruled in 2015 that a former president who has already served two terms is ineligible to run again, effectively closing the legal door for a Jonathan comeback.
Nevertheless, the symbolism of Gana’s call could energize a faction of PDP loyalists nostalgic for the 2011‑2015 period, potentially reshaping the party’s internal power dynamics. Conversely, Tinubu’s camp may double‑down on economic messaging, positioning the incumbent’s record as a contrast to the “failed” Jonathan era.
Looking Ahead
As the 2027 electoral calendar tightens, the PDP is expected to convene a national convention in early 2026 to announce its presidential nominee. Whether Gana’s remarks will fade into the background or become a rallying cry for a “Jonathan revival” remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the contest will hinge less on personal nostalgia and more on how each side translates economic data, security outcomes, and youth employment into a compelling narrative.
Key Facts
- September 28, 2025 – Jerry Gana announces that Nigerians want Goodluck Jonathan back.
- September 30, 2025 – Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga labels the claim “delusional.”
- September 30, 2025 – PDP officially disowns Gana’s statements.
- Inflation fell to 20.12 % in August 2025, lowest in three years.
- Foreign reserves stand at $42.03 billion as of September 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Goodluck Jonathan legally run for president in 2027?
No. The 1999 Constitution caps presidential terms at two, regardless of whether they are consecutive. Jonathan already served two terms (2010‑2015), so the Supreme Court would bar any further candidacy.
What did the presidency cite as evidence of Tinubu’s success?
Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga highlighted a drop in inflation to 20.12 % in August 2025 and foreign reserves climbing to $42.03 billion, arguing these figures show a recovering economy under Tinubu’s stewardship.
Why did the PDP distance itself from Jerry Gana’s comments?
The party’s National Publicity Secretary said Gana spoke without consulting leadership and that the PDP “has other qualified candidates” for 2027, aiming to preserve unity and avoid the perception of a fragmented campaign.
How are Nigerians reacting to the idea of a Jonathan comeback?
Surveys indicate a split view: older voters who remember the 2011‑2015 period express nostalgia, while younger voters, who have faced high unemployment and power cuts, remain skeptical, citing Jonathan’s mixed record.
What are the next steps for the PDP’s 2027 candidate selection?
The party plans a national convention in early 2026, where delegates will vote on the presidential nominee. Candidates are expected to emerge from the party’s primary races across the 36 states.
The whole saga reeks of political theatrics that betray the public trust.
The political maneuverings surrounding the alleged Goodluck Jonathan comeback reflect a deeper malaise within Nigeria's party system.
When senior figures start insinuating a revival of a two‑term president, it signals that the PDP is scrambling for a recognizable brand.
Yet the electorate, especially the burgeoning youth demographic, is more attuned to tangible outcomes than nostalgic slogans.
This dissonance between macro‑economic headlines and on‑the‑ground frustrations creates fertile ground for populist narratives.
The Tinubu administration's recent gains in foreign reserves are commendable but do not automatically translate into improved livelihoods.
Moreover, the constitutional barrier that bars a former two‑term president from running again is a hard legal fact that cannot be sidestepped by party rhetoric.
The PDP's internal disavowal of Gana's remarks further illustrates that the party leadership is aware of this legal hurdle.
Still, the very fact that Gana felt compelled to voice a "nostalgic" demand reveals fissures in the party's strategic planning.
If the PDP continues to gamble on past personalities instead of cultivating fresh leadership, it risks alienating the very voters it needs to win.
Conversely, Tinubu's camp could capitalize on this by emphasizing concrete policy successes and a forward‑looking agenda.
Security improvements, albeit uneven, coupled with a modest GDP uptick, are tangible talking points that resonate beyond statistics.
Ultimately, the 2027 contest will likely be decided not by the shadow of a former president, but by which side can convincingly address unemployment, energy reliability, and youth empowerment.
Voters will also weigh the moral credibility of parties that appear united versus those that publicly clash over candidate selection.
In this environment, the drama surrounding Gana's proclamation may fade quickly, leaving only the substantive policy battles to shape the election outcome.
History has a way of reminding us that nostalgia can be both comforting and deceptive.
While some may yearn for the perceived stability of past administrations, the realities on the ground often tell a different story.
We should ask ourselves whether it’s the person we miss or the hope for better governance that fuels this sentiment.
In any case, the conversation should shift from who was, to who can deliver results now.
The constitutional limit on presidential terms is explicit: a two‑term ceiling, regardless of sequence.
Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility is therefore a non‑starter under current law.
Beyond legality, his prior tenure left a mixed legacy that voters will weigh carefully.
Strategic focus on fresh candidates seems more prudent for the PDP.