Goodluck Jonathan's 2027 Ambition: Legal Tensions and PDP's Desperate Gamble...

According to several reports circulating across national dailies, former President Goodluck Jonathan is seriously considering a return to Aso Rock in 2027. Sources indicate that he has begun engaging Northern political leaders in closed door consultations, presumably to finalize an alliance before making a public declaration.

But the pressing question is not just political... it is constitutional.

Is Goodluck Jonathan Eligible to Run Again?

Gej’s eligibility has been a subject of debate since 2015. Let’s recall,

After the death of President Yar’Adua in 2010, Jonathan was sworn in as president to complete the term.

He later contested and won the 2011 election, taking another oath of office.

Constitutionally, no one can take the oath of office for president more than twice.

Yet, in the leadup to 2015, a legal challenge was brought before a Federal High Court to stop Jonathan from contesting on this very basis. The court dismissed the case on the grounds of "lack of locus standi". On appeal, the judges offered an interpretation suggesting that Jonathan’s first oath in 2010 "did not count" because he was not "elected" into office but merely completed Yar’Adua’s term.

This reasoning raises significant concerns.

Nigeria operates a joint ticket presidential system, where no presidential candidate runs without a vice president. If Yar’Adua was elected, so was Jonathan. It’s hard to isolate one from the other in legal terms. More so, when a vice president assumes office after a president’s death, they do not act in an "acting capacity" rather they become substantive president and must take a new oath of office.

Meanwhile, beyond the court's interpretation, there’s a more recent and formidable legal barrier, which is the 2018 constitutional amendment signed into law by President Buhari. This amendment clearly states that anyone who completes another person’s term (as president or governor) can only serve one full term.

This law hasn't yet been challenged in court, but it's standing legal ground. And by its plain interpretation, Jonathan would be disqualified from seeking another four year term, as he would exceed the constitutional 8 year cap for executive office. He already served over five years, completing Yar’Adua’s tenure and his own term from 2011–2015. Another four years would total nine years, a direct violation of the constitutional limit.

Now to the bigger political picture which is the state of the PDP. Once Africa's largest political party, the PDP appears to be on life support. Rather than building up viable internal candidates, it is now begging aspirants, Mr. Peter Obi, and now perhaps Jonathan to run under its platform.

Statements by PDP stalwart Jerry Gana suggest that Obi was being lobbied to return, and should he refuse, Jonathan or another "big name" would be offered the ticket unconditionally.

This is telling. A party that once thrived on transactional politics and heavy internal lobbying is now willing to surrender the party structure in desperation. The implication? They are no longer in charge of their destiny and likely no longer in tune with public expectation.

Meanwhile, key PDP figures like Nyesom Wike continue to straddle both sides of the aisle, openly supporting President Tinubu’s reelection, further weakening the party’s relevance as an opposition force.

In conclusion.... If Jonathan does decide to run in 2027, legal fireworks are guaranteed. His political allies may argue that the 2018 law cannot apply retroactively, but the Constitution is clear. The spirit of the law, both old and new, is to prevent anyone from exceeding two oaths and more than eight years in office.

This will be a constitutional battle worth watching. But beyond the legality, there’s the morality and optics of such a move. Will Nigeria’s electorate, already disillusioned with political recycling, embrace this rerun? Or is this merely another elite ploy to fast track power back to the North under the guise of a southern presidency?

Whatever the case, 2027 is shaping up to be yet another controversial and complex election cycle, one where legality, loyalty, and legacy will be on trial.

Ebuka Romeo Okoye 
Active Nigerian 

#DeGame