By Jane Okafor, Abuja
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has maintained that he is constitutionally and legally qualified to contest the 2027 presidential election if he chooses to throw his hat in the ring alongside others.
Jonathan who left Aso Rock of power May 28, 2015 after losing the Nigeria’s presidential election to late President Muhammadu Buhari, however, added that being qualified is not a declaration or confirmation of intention to run again.
The ex – President stated this while reacting to separate unsolicited advice from Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo (SAN), and legal scholar, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, asking him not to run because of the perceived constitutional restrictions on him.
He warned the duo to steer clear of his political decisions amid speculation about a 2027 presidential race.
The Daily Crucible reports that Keyamo and Odinkalu had urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) it risks not having a presidential candidate if it hands its ticket to Jonathan.
They hinged their advice on the legal and constitutional hurdles facing Jonathan in view of his two previous terms as president.
Specifically, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, had on Sunday warned the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, risks having no presidential candidate in 2027 if it fields the former President.
Posting on X, Keyamo stated: “One of its attractive targets as a Presidential candidate is ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, because of his purported eligibility to run for only one term.
“But, if he is fielded, the Party runs the RISK of NOT HAVING A CANDIDATE AT ALL by virtue of section 137 (3) of the 1999 Constitution (Fourth Amendment).
“All the arguments as to whether the section can be interpreted to affect him will not be decided on social media, but at the Supreme Court.
“If he is barred from running AFTER nominations have closed and the PDP is declared as having no candidate, nobody should scream ‘judiciary is corrupt’ because such a large party saw the judicial danger ahead and deliberately ignored it.”
However, the ex – President dismissed their concerns through a statement on Monday by his brother, Azibaola Robert, pointing out that his constitutional eligibility is unquestionable and does not require unsolicited advice.
On his verified Facebook page, Robert wrote: “Dear Festus Keyamo (SAN), Chidi Odinkalu (Prof.), I greet both of you. For the records, three of us are lawyers. We were all pro-democracy activists in the 90s, and I was a better activist than both of you combined.
“Rule No. 1: Do not offer legal advice where none is solicited. GEJ has numerous, more cerebral, more experienced SANs at his disposal who give him sound, unblemished professional legal advice. Please note: GEJ is 100% constitutionally and legally qualified to contest, if he chooses to.
“This is not a confirmation that GEJ is running, though.”
There has been push for Jonathan to run for the presidency in 2027.
