Former President Goodluck Jonathan has criticized Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo and legal scholar Prof. Chidi Odinkalu for their opposition to his rumoured 2027 presidential bid.
Jonathan warned them to stay out of his political decisions.
Keyamo and Odinkalu had previously urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to give its presidential ticket to Jonathan, arguing that his return bid would face legal challenges since he has already been sworn in twice as president.
In a statement released Monday by his brother, Azibaola Robert, Jonathan dismissed their concerns, asserting that his eligibility is not in doubt and that he does not need their unsolicited advice.
On his verified Facebook page, Robert wrote, “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?”
Robert added, in a lighter tone: “This is not a confirmation that GEJ is running, though.”
Though Jonathan has yet to formally declare his candidacy for the 2027 presidential race, his rumored ambition has already sparked debate.
Political opponents argue that a return bid could jeopardize the South’s chances of retaining the presidency.
It remains uncertain whether the former president will run, but the early discussions signal an intensifying battle over issues of zoning, eligibility, and succession ahead of the 2027 elections.
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