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Legal Experts Warn Jonathan’s 2027 Presidential Ambition Faces Constitutional Hurdles

As discussions intensify around former President Goodluck Jonathan’s potential return to Nigeria’s highest office in 2027, legal experts are voicing concerns over the constitutional viability of such a bid.

Constitutional Constraints

Human rights lawyer and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has asserted that any attempt by Jonathan to contest the presidency in 2027 would likely falter under judicial scrutiny. In an opinion piece, Odinkalu emphasized that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) limits the number of times an individual can be elected to the presidency. He pointed to Section 137(1)(a), which disqualifies any person who has been elected to the office of President at any two previous elections. Odinkalu argued that Jonathan’s previous elections in 2011 and 2015 fall within this provision, potentially rendering him ineligible for another term [1] .

Divergent Legal Opinions

The legal community remains divided on the matter. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Dayo Akinlaja, contends that Jonathan is not barred from contesting, citing that the constitutional amendment came into effect after Jonathan’s 2015 election bid. Akinlaja referenced the Supreme Court case of Marwa v. Nyako to support his position, suggesting that the amendment does not retroactively apply to Jonathan’s previous terms [2] .

Conversely, Festus Keyamo, another Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against fielding Jonathan. Keyamo argued that doing so could expose the party to constitutional risks, potentially leading to a scenario where the PDP has no valid candidate if Jonathan’s eligibility is successfully challenged in court [3] .

Political Implications

The PDP’s contemplation of Jonathan as a potential candidate has stirred debates within the party and the broader political landscape. While some view Jonathan as a unifying figure capable of stabilizing the nation’s democracy, others express concerns over the legal uncertainties surrounding his candidacy. The party’s decision to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the southern region adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding scenario [4] .

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Citations:

1. Sahara Reporters: saharareporters.com/2025/08/31/jonathans-2027-presidential-bid-doomed-fail-court-says-odinkalu?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. Vanguard News: www.vanguardngr.com/2025/08/2027-presidential-poll-lawyers-divided-over-jonathans-eligibility/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. The Guardian Nigeria: guardian.ng/featured/keyamo-warns-pdp-against-fielding-jonathan-obi-in-2027-presidential-election/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
4. The Sun Nigeria: thesun.ng/2027-confusion-over-jonathan/?utm_source=chatgpt.com