By Augustine Akhilomen
A cousin of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Robert Azibaola, has countered the statement credited to Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo and human rights scholar Prof. Chidi Odinkalu that former president Goodluck Jonathan can’t contest for the 2027 presidential election.
Recall that Keyamo and Odinkalu had urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to hand its ticket to Jonathan, arguing that his return bid would face legal obstacles since he had already been sworn in twice as president.
Although Jonathan has yet to make a formal declaration on the 2027 race, his rumoured ambition has already drawn reactions from political opponents who argue that a return bid could jeopardise the South’s chances of retaining the presidency.
However, countering the comments via his official Facebook handle, Robert said that Jonathan is 100% constitutionally and legally qualified to contest, if he chooses to.
“Dear Festus Keyamo (SAN), Chidi Odinkalu (Prof), I greet both of you. For the record, 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?”
Robert added, “This is not a confirmation that GEJ is running, though.”