A former Acting Chairman of the Federal Character Commission and ex-lawmaker from Ogun State, Kayode Oladele, has declared that former President Goodluck Jonathan is constitutionally barred from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Oladele, who is also a constitutional lawyer, said the debate surrounding Jonathan’s possible return to power had already been settled by law, insisting that no amount of political consultation or public support could override the provisions of the Constitution.
Jonathan had recently met with youth groups in Abuja who urged him to join the 2027 presidential race. Responding to their appeals, the former president said he would consult widely before making any political decision.
“I’ve heard you loud and clear. I will consult widely before taking any decision,” Jonathan reportedly told the groups.
Reacting to the development, Oladele explained in a statement on Sunday that while consultations remain part of normal political activities, eligibility to contest for office is strictly a constitutional matter.
According to him, the major issue is not Jonathan’s popularity, experience, or national acceptance, but whether the Nigerian Constitution allows him to seek the presidency again.
He cited Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which states that any person who completes the tenure of another elected president cannot be elected to the office more than once afterward.
Oladele noted that the constitutional amendment was introduced to prevent a situation where a vice president who inherits office mid-term could still go ahead to enjoy two additional full terms in power.
He explained that Jonathan became president in May 2010 following the death of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and completed the remainder of Yar’Adua’s tenure before later winning the 2011 presidential election.
According to the lawyer, that single elected term in 2011 exhausted the constitutional opportunity available to him under the amended law.
“Former President Jonathan is not being unfairly targeted. He simply represents the exact situation the constitutional amendment was created to address,” Oladele stated.
He also dismissed claims that applying the 2018 constitutional amendment to Jonathan would amount to retroactive legislation, arguing that the law does not punish past actions but only sets future eligibility conditions.
“The Constitution is not punishing Jonathan for serving as president. It is simply stating that anyone who completed another president’s tenure and later won an election has exhausted the constitutional limit,” he explained.
Oladele further warned political parties against considering Jonathan for the 2027 race, saying such a move could lead to legal battles, uncertainty, and possible disqualification.
He stressed that political sentiments and emotional support should not be confused with constitutional qualification.
“A candidacy built on constitutional uncertainty is a risky political gamble,” he warned.
While acknowledging Jonathan’s continued relevance as a respected statesman, Oladele maintained that influence and public admiration do not automatically translate into eligibility for public office.
He concluded that although political discussions around Jonathan’s possible return may continue, the Constitution has already drawn a clear line on the matter.
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