Festus Keyamo: Supreme Court Will Block Goodluck Jonathan From 2027 Presidential Race

Keyamo made the remark during an interview with Vanguard on Sunday, where he discussed the internal challenges within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and renewed speculation about Jonathan’s possible return to the 2027 presidential race.

According to the minister, existing constitutional provisions already bar Jonathan from re-entering the contest, insisting that any attempt to do so would likely be struck down by the Supreme Court.

He further tied the issue to the ongoing leadership crisis within the PDP, particularly referencing a faction reportedly led by Kabir Turaki. Keyamo argued that the faction lacks the legal standing to present candidates for elections, complicating any political plans involving the former president.

The minister added that Jonathan is being associated with a party structure he described as legally questionable, warning that such a move could worsen his political prospects.

Jonathan became president in 2010 following the death of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, won the 2011 election, and served until 2015 after losing his re-election bid.

“Jonathan is not constitutionally eligible to run, it is as simple as that. The Supreme Court will most likely disqualify him. And I think he knows because they are dangling the ticket of the PDP that does not exist in law before him, the Turaki-led PDP that cannot field candidates. That is double tragedy for him,” Keyamo said.

He added that the situation appears more like a symbolic political exercise than a realistic electoral bid.

The debate over Jonathan’s eligibility has persisted over the years, with constitutional interpretations centered on whether his partial first term and subsequent full term amount to the maximum two-term limit allowed under the 1999 Constitution.