Former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami (rtd), has declared that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan is constitutionally barred from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Salami stated that Jonathan would exceed the maximum constitutional limit of two presidential terms (eight years) if allowed to contest again, stressing that any attempt to run would be a violation of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Speaking in a legal opinion released on Thursday, the retired jurist warned that Jonathan risked nullification by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court if he contested and won.
“The ambition of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to contest for the office of the president in the 2027 general election is effectively and undoubtedly shot down by Sub-section (3) of Section 137 of the 1999 Constitution as altered by the Fourth Alteration Act, No. 16 of 2018,” Salami stated.
He explained that the constitutional amendment—which bars anyone sworn in to complete more than two years of another president’s tenure from contesting twice—applies to Jonathan, who completed the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua before winning his own four-year term in 2011.
Justice Salami emphasized that constitutional amendments have retroactive effect in civil matters and must be interpreted in line with the spirit of the law.
“The Constitution protects criminal rights against retroactive legislation, not civil or constitutional infractions,” he said, citing Section 36(8) of the Constitution.
According to him, any argument that the amendment cannot affect Jonathan is “misguided,” adding that the Constitution remains supreme and cannot be set aside for political convenience.
“In the event of his winning the election, he will be conveniently removed by the Court of Appeal… undoubtedly affirmed by the Supreme Court,” he warned.
Justice Salami advised political actors supporting Jonathan to exercise caution, likening the situation to a “caveat emptor” warning in land transactions.
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