Justice Ayo Salami Explains Why Jonathan Cannot Contest 2027 Presidential Election
By Passman Akpos
Former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami (rtd), has stated that former President Goodluck Jonathan is constitutionally barred from contesting the presidency in 2027.
Speaking on Thursday, Justice Salami clarified that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) expressly prohibits anyone who has been sworn in twice as President from seeking re-election, regardless of how they initially assumed office.
According to him, Jonathan, having completed the tenure of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua between 2010 and 2011, and subsequently being elected and sworn in for a fresh four-year term in 2011, has already served as President twice.
He explained, “Section 137(3) of the Constitution makes it clear that a person who has been sworn in as President to complete another person’s term shall be deemed to have been elected once. Therefore, Jonathan cannot be validly nominated to run again in 2027.”
Justice Salami emphasized that the constitutional amendment introduced during the Muhammadu Buhari administration settled the issue once and for all, making it impossible for Jonathan—or anyone in a similar position—to contest for the nation’s highest office again.
He urged political actors to respect the constitutional provisions and focus on promoting credible leadership rather than engaging in legal gymnastics over eligibility matters that have already been settled by law.
Jonathan, who served as President from 2010 to 2015, has not publicly declared any intention to run in 2027, but speculations about his possible return have continued to generate political debate across the country.
