Former President Goodluck Jonathan has pushed back against criticisms from Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo (SAN), and legal scholar, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, over his rumoured 2027 presidential ambition.
The duo had cautioned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against considering Jonathan as a potential candidate, insisting his eligibility would face constitutional hurdles since he had already been sworn in twice as president.
Reacting through a statement on Monday by his brother, Azibaola Robert, Jonathan dismissed their concerns, describing them as unsolicited and irrelevant.
Robert, writing on his verified Facebook page, stressed that Jonathan has access to senior lawyers capable of offering superior legal guidance.
“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,” Robert stated.
In a sharp rebuke, Robert reminded Keyamo and Odinkalu of their shared activism roots in the 1990s, claiming he was a “better activist” than both.
He further hinted that those raising doubts on Jonathan’s eligibility may need a refresher course on relevant legal precedents.
“Should I schedule a meeting so you can be properly educated on the subsisting court judgments on the matter — one of which your party, APC, was a party to?” he asked.
Robert clarified that the statement should not be taken as confirmation that Jonathan would join the 2027 presidential race.
“This is not a confirmation that GEJ is running, though,” he added in a lighter tone.
Although Jonathan has not formally declared his intention, speculations about a possible comeback have stirred intense debate within Nigeria’s political landscape.
Opponents argue that another Jonathan presidency could undermine the South’s chances of retaining power beyond 2027, while his supporters maintain he remains a formidable option for national stability.
