2027: Jonathan ready to run again – What the law says on his eligibility

Former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is anticipated to emerge as a prominent candidate opposing incumbent President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 presidential election, as confirmed by a close associate of the Bayelsa-born politician in an interview with Vanguard.

The associate, who is also affiliated with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), indicated that the efforts to nominate the former President for the PDP platform have progressed significantly, and he has expressed his willingness to participate in the election.

The informant noted that a coalition of influential Nigerian leaders and elders is spearheading this initiative, driven by a belief that Jonathan successfully stabilized both the country and its economy during his six-year tenure in office.

The advocacy for Jonathan’s candidacy arises from a shared desire to rehabilitate the nation’s declining economy and restore Nigeria’s status on the global stage. PDP leaders and elders have reportedly been actively urging him to consider running against Tinubu in 2027.

Some observers suggest that permitting Jonathan to pursue a single four-year term could represent a viable strategy for facilitating a return of power to northern Nigeria by 2031, thereby ensuring an uninterrupted eight-year tenure with minimal contention from the southern region.

Given that Jonathan has already completed one four-year term, he would be eligible to serve a maximum of another four years if victorious in the 2027 election, similar to the conditions applicable to Tinubu, should he secure re-election.

According to the source, Jonathan has engaged in private discussions with several prominent figures both within and outside the PDP to garner support for his 2027 presidential campaign. Notably, he recently conferred with former military leader General Ibrahim Babangida at his residence in Minna, Niger State, to communicate his aspiration to seek a single term in the forthcoming election.

While the source did not disclose General Babangida’s response, there remains an optimistic outlook regarding the proposal’s reception in northern Nigeria.

The source indicated that Jonathan is currently engaging in consultations with key stakeholders in the South-South region to advocate for his candidacy and to secure their unwavering support.

At the time of reporting, the specific individuals Jonathan’s team was meeting within Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, remained undisclosed; however, it is believed that he will not encounter significant challenges in securing support from his established base in the region.

The ally, who is also in the People Democratic Party, PDP, as Jonathan, told Vanguard that the plan to draft the former President to contest on PDP’s platform had gone far, and that he had accepted, adding that the former president was going into the race to find ways of addressing Nigeria’s rising poverty, hardship and the general suffering that had gripped the citizenry in recent years.

What the law says on Jonathan’s eligibility
Amid the push to get Jonathan to run, there is division in the polity on his eligibility, following a 2018 Constitutional amendment that bars those sworn-in twice in the past from running for presidency or governorship.

The sections of the Constitution that address the issue of presidents and governors being sworn in more than twice are Sections 137(3) and 182(3). These sections state that a person who was sworn in to complete the term of another person as President or Governor shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term

*Section 137(3) applies to the President and states: “A person, who was sworn in to complete the term for which another person was elected as President, shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.”

*Section 182(3) applies to Governors and states: “A person, who was sworn in to complete the term for which another person was elected as Governor, shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.”

These sections aim to prevent individuals from serving more than eight years in office, either as President or Governor, even if they assume the role due to the incumbent’s inability to serve.

The amendment, now referred to as the Fourth Alteration Act, became effective on June 8, 2018, when it was signed into law by then President Muhammadu Buhari.

Currently, lawyers are divided on the issue. While some are of the view that Jonathan could no longer contest any presidential election, having completed the unexpired term of the late President Umar Yar’Adua and concluded another term in 2015, others contended that the new provisions cannot be applied to Jonathan who started his tenure before the law took effect.