Jonathan opens up on eligibility to run again: I am unstoppable

Goodluck Jonathan Declares: “I Am Unstoppable” Amid Court Ruling on 2027 Presidential Eligibility

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has reignited political discourse with a bold declaration of his eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election, stating, “I am unstoppable.”

This statement follows a landmark ruling by the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, which cleared the legal ambiguity surrounding his potential candidacy.

The controversy stems from Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended in 2018), which stipulates that no individual shall be elected to the office of the President more than once if they had previously completed the term of another elected president. Critics argue that Jonathan’s assumption of office in 2010, following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and his subsequent election in 2011, amounted to two terms. 

However, the court ruled that the constitutional amendment cannot be applied retroactively, as it came into effect in 2018, three years after Jonathan left office.

Justice Isa H. Dashen, who presided over the case, emphasized that Jonathan’s 2010 swearing-in was not the result of an election but a constitutional succession. Therefore, his only elected term remains the one from 2011 to 2015. The judge noted that neither the All Progressives Congress (APC) nor the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), both named as defendants, contested the suit, effectively conceding to the arguments presented.

Jonathan’s legal team presented a counter-affidavit supported by official documentation, including the Federal Gazette detailing the Fourth Alteration to the Constitution. 

The court’s decision has emboldened Jonathan’s supporters within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), many of whom view him as the party’s strongest contender for the 2027 race. Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido has publicly endorsed Jonathan, citing his experience and cross-regional appeal.

Despite the growing momentum, Jonathan has yet to formally declare his candidacy. His recent public engagements and the court’s affirmation have nonetheless positioned him as a formidable figure in the evolving political landscape. Legal experts remain divided, but the prevailing judicial interpretation affirms that Jonathan is constitutionally eligible to run again.

As Nigeria approaches another pivotal election cycle, Jonathan’s potential return to the political arena promises to reshape alliances and reignite debates over leadership, legacy, and constitutional law.