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2027: Jonathan Rebukes Keyamo, Odinkalu Over Eligibility Debate
“Your unsolicited legal view is not of any concern to him and will never be. Don’t waste your precious time dwelling on this. Or 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?”
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has criticised Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo (SAN) and legal scholar Prof. Chidi Odinkalu for opposing his speculated 2027 presidential ambition, cautioning them to steer clear of his political choices.
Keyamo and Odinkalu had urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to consider Jonathan for its ticket, arguing that his return would face legal hurdles since he had already been sworn in twice as president.
In a statement issued Monday by his brother, Azibaola Robert, Jonathan dismissed their concerns, stressing that his eligibility was unquestionable and that he did not require unsolicited advice.
Robert wrote on his verified Facebook page:
“Dear Festus Keyamo (SAN), Chidi Odinkalu (Prof.), I greet both of you. For the records, three of us are lawyers. We were all pro-democracy activists in the 90s, and I was a better activist than both of you combined.
“Rule No. 1: Do not offer legal advice where none is solicited. GEJ (PDP) 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. If he decides not to yield to the overwhelming calls to run, it will not be because he is unqualified.
“Your unsolicited legal view is not of any concern to him and will never be. Don’t waste your precious time dwelling on this. Or 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 added, jokingly: “This is not a confirmation that GEJ is running, though.”
Although Jonathan has not declared interest in the 2027 race, his rumoured ambition has already triggered debate, with critics warning that a return bid could undermine the South’s chances of retaining the presidency.
For now, uncertainty lingers, but the exchanges suggest an intensifying political battle over zoning, eligibility, and succession as 2027 approaches.
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