Salami: Constitution bars Jonathan from 2027 presidential contest

Salami: Constitution Bars Jonathan From 2027 Presidential Contest

Former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, has explained why former President Goodluck Jonathan is not eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) prevents his return to office.

In a written legal opinion, Salami argued that Jonathan has already exhausted the maximum period permitted for any individual to serve as president. He recalled that Jonathan completed the tenure of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua before winning a full term of his own, bringing his total time in office to the constitutionally allowed limit.

According to him, any fresh attempt to seek the presidency would violate constitutional provisions restricting a person from holding the office for more than eight years.

He added that even if Jonathan were to contest and win, such victory would not withstand judicial scrutiny.

“It is painstakingly and dispassionately demonstrated abundantly to all and sundry that the ambition of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to contest the office of the president for the second term in the 2027 general election is effectively and undoubtedly shot down,” Salami stated.