Politics

Jonathan constitutionally eligible to contest in 2027, Onoh replies Onanuga

Published

6 months ago

October 1, 2025

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

Jonathan constitutionally eligible to contest in 2027, Onoh replies Onanuga

President Bola Tinubu’s former southeast spokesman Denge Josef Onoh, has confirmed that former President Goodluck Jonathan is constitutionally qualified to run for Nigeria’s presidency in the 2027 election.

Onoh’s remark came after Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, cautioned on Monday that Jonathan’s eligibility for the 2027 fight could be resolved by the court.

However, Onoh disagreed with Onanuga, telling him that the subject had previously been settled in Jonathan’s favor and could not be revisited except for a wild legal pursuit trip.

Onoh stated that it is up to Nigerians to determine who leads them and that President Bola Tinubu’s administration will not infringe on any opponents’ right to contest.

Onoh, speaking to journalists in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, on Tuesday after receiving a certified true copy of the judgment, stated that Jonathan’s eligibility under constitutional term limits is already a settled legal precedent established by unchallenged judicial rulings that confirmed Jonathan’s eligibility to contest future elections.

“Therefore, President Tinubu should not be deceived by anyone telling him otherwise. This was exactly how Jonathan’s inner cabal during the buildup to the 2015 elections deceived him into believing that he was invisible and that Nigerians loved him, to the extent that he was so carried away that he felt invisible and never saw Tinubu coming.

“Tinubu was the invisible magician that cast the spell that led to Jonathan’s loss at the polls. The president should not fall in the same trap by the voices that surround him now. The one major sincere voice he should listen to is his wife; many will betray him in the coming months,” said Onoh.

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Onoh further noted that in May 2022, a binding and unappealed judgment of the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State (Suit No. FHC/YNG/CS/86/2022) issued a final finding in a lawsuit brought by APC members Andy Solomon and Ibidiye Abraham against Jonathan, the APC, and the INEC.

Justice Isa H. Dashen ruled that Goodluck Jonathan is constitutionally able to run for the presidency of Nigeria again.

The court reasoned that Jonathan’s assumption of office on May 6, 2010, following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was not an election under Section 137(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), but rather a succession to complete Yar’Adua’s unexpired term, invoking the doctrine of necessity and not counting against the two-term limit for elected mandates.

Onoh stated that Jonathan was elected only once, in the 2011 presidential election, and fulfilled a complete four-year term until 2015; his 2015 candidacy was a legal reelection attempt, although he was defeated at the polls, but he did not exhaust his constitutional allowance.

“The 2018 constitutional amendment (via the Fourth Alteration Act), which added Section 137(3) to bar anyone sworn in twice from further contests, does not apply retroactively to Jonathan. The amendment postdated his tenures (2010–2015). It cannot retroactively disqualify rights accrued under the pre-amendment framework.”

Onoh stated that ex-post facto laws are not permitted in Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, a principle supported by precedents such as the Court of Appeal’s 2015 ruling in Cyriacus Njoku v. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (2015) LPELR-24496(CA), which similarly excluded his 2010 oath from term-counting calculations.

Despite the 90-day window provided by the Constitution and applicable election legislation, Onoh said that neither the plaintiffs nor any other party appealed the 2022 verdict. Over three years later (as of September 2025), the verdict remains final and binding under the doctrine of res judicata, preventing relitigation of the same problems between the same parties.

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“Hence, I urge Mr. President not to listen to anyone who comes to spin him with legal possibilities of Jonathan’s eligibility because Nigerian jurisprudence, including Supreme Court decisions like Marwa v. Nyako (2012) 6 NWLR (Pt. 1296) 200, upholds such precedents to ensure legal certainty and prevent endless challenges to settled rights.

“With due respect to Mr. Onanuga, his invocation of future court scrutiny, while respectful of judicial authority, ignores this finality due to the statute of limitations and finality; hence, any hypothetical challenger today would face dismissal for delay, as the core facts (Jonathan’s oaths and elections) are historical and were adjudicated in 2022.”

Onoh stated that the Supreme Court has frequently rejected “stale” cases that could have been appealed sooner (e.g., A.G. Federation v. A.G. Abia State (2001) 11 NWLR (Pt. 725) 689).

He also highlighted a 2013 Federal High Court verdict (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/231/2013, Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi) that cleared Jonathan to run in 2015 and was not appealed, which served as the foundation for the 2022 decision.

“This chain of unassailed judgments creates an impregnable legal shield. So, in my opinion, eligibility is a settled constitutional right, not open to political conjecture. I’m aware many critics in the past have framed opposition as a “risk” for parties fielding him, acknowledging the unresolved tension with the 2018 amendment, but the 2022 ruling resolves it in Jonathan’s favor.

“In essence, the matter is not pending a “jury” (or judiciary) trial; it was conclusively decided. Suggesting otherwise risks undermining judicial authority by implying courts must revisit final verdicts at political whim, eroding the stability essential to Nigeria’s electoral process.

“I owe Mr. President the truth before he’s betrayed again by politicians waving successful statistics around him without any knowledge of how Nigerians truly perceive your administration, which isn’t encouraging at the moment, but it’s within your powers to change the narratives to your favor.

“To honor the rule of law, if Jonathan enters the 2027 race, I advise President Tinubu to engage on visions for economic revival, security, and unity. This elevates the conversation, respecting Jonathan’s cleared path while focusing on voters’ priorities. Nigeria’s democracy thrives when legal finality frees space for ideas, not recycled litigation,” Onoh said.

Jonathan constitutionally eligible to contest in 2027, Onoh replies Onanuga

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Tinubu Holds Urgent Meetings with Ganduje, Badaru as APC Defections Surge

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1 hour ago

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Former Kano Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and President Bola Tinubu

Tinubu Holds Urgent Meetings with Ganduje, Badaru as APC Defections Surge

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night held separate closed-door meetings with former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and ex-Defence Minister Badaru Abubakar at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, amid rising defections from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The meetings came as political tensions intensified in Kano and Jigawa States, following a series of high-profile defections that threaten to reshape APC’s influence in the Northern region. Although the discussions were private, sources indicate they were focused on strategies to stabilise party structures and address internal grievances.

The immediate trigger for concern was the recent defection of former governor Rabiu Kwankwaso from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Several of Kwankwaso’s loyalists, including Nasiru Gawuna, APC’s 2023 governorship candidate in Kano, and former deputy governor Aminu Gwarzo, followed him to the ADC, raising alarm among APC leadership.

Earlier in the day, Ganduje appeared publicly with Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin during an event where eight NNPP lawmakers defected to APC, an effort seen as part of the ruling party’s counter-strategy to maintain dominance in the state. Ganduje reassured supporters that APC remains strong and capable of delivering victory in Kano in the 2027 elections.

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Ganduje, who served as APC National Chairman until his resignation in July 2025, remains a key influencer in northern politics. Badaru, a former Jigawa State Governor, recently resigned from his federal cabinet position, sparking similar political realignments in his home state. Sources suggest some APC stakeholders in Jigawa may also consider joining opposition platforms, reflecting a broader trend of party switching in northern Nigeria.

Political analysts say the meetings indicate Tinubu’s urgent focus on party unity ahead of the 2027 elections, aiming to curb defections and reconcile internal factions. Observers note that while some political actors continue to leave, others are joining APC, highlighting a fluid political landscape.

The developments underscore the strategic challenges facing APC, as opposition parties like the ADC gain ground, particularly in the Middle Belt and northern states, in the run-up to the next general elections.

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Adebayo Adelabu Resigns as Power Minister to Run for Oyo State Governorship

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March 31, 2026

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Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu

Adebayo Adelabu Resigns as Power Minister to Run for Oyo State Governorship

Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, has officially resigned from his ministerial position to focus on his bid for the Oyo State governorship ahead of the 2027 general elections. His resignation, dated March 26, 2026, was submitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates political appointees intending to contest elective offices to vacate their posts before party primaries.

In a resignation letter, Adelabu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve in the Tinubu administration, stating, “It has been a privilege contributing to the efforts aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s power sector under your Renewed Hope Agenda. My decision to resign is to enable me to fully pursue my aspiration to contest for the office of Governor of Oyo State and dedicate my time and resources to that endeavour.”

The minister’s exit follows a government directive issued via the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, which required political appointees to resign by March 31, 2026, if they intended to contest elective offices in the 2027 elections. Other ministers, including Yusuf Tuggar (Foreign Affairs) and Yusuf Sununu (Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs), have also resigned to pursue governorship ambitions in Bauchi and Kebbi States, respectively.

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Adelabu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Deputy Governor of Operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria, has previously contested the Oyo governorship under the APC in 2019 and the Accord Party in 2023. His resignation signals renewed focus on securing his party’s ticket and intensifying the Oyo State political race ahead of the 2027 elections.

His tenure as Power Minister coincided with public scrutiny over persistent electricity outages, which he addressed in a press conference, issuing a public apology to Nigerians. He acknowledged that erratic power supply had affected households, businesses, and industries, especially amid rising temperatures, and pledged to improve the situation before leaving office. During his term, Adelabu also oversaw key sector reforms, including a N501 billion bond issuance aimed at resolving long-standing liquidity issues in Nigeria’s electricity market.

As of his resignation, the federal government has not announced a replacement for the Ministry of Power, leaving a crucial cabinet role vacant ahead of ongoing reforms and infrastructure projects. Political analysts say Adelabu’s departure is likely to reshape both the federal cabinet and the Oyo governorship contest, as party stakeholders prepare for the primaries and eventual general election.

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2027: Badagry elders rally Tinubu to back zone’s first Lagos governor

Published

15 hours ago

March 31, 2026

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2027: Badagry elders rally Tinubu to back zone’s first Lagos governor

A prominent elder statesman, Pa Andu Liadi Adio, has urged President Bola Tinubu to honour longstanding assurances that Lagos State’s governorship will be ceded to Badagry Division.

Speaking at his residence in Badagry, the 93-year-old said the time had come for the division to assume leadership after decades of perceived marginalisation and backed the aspiration of Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose.

He appealed for patience among youths in the area, saying efforts were ongoing to ensure justice for the division in the state’s political arrangement.

Pa Adio expressed confidence that the President would not disappoint the people of Badagry in their quest to produce the next governor.

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He recalled that during his tenure as Lagos governor, President Tinubu had requested a representative from Badagry to serve in his administration, leading to the nomination of Hon. Olanrewaju Saka-Shenayon, who later served as Commissioner for Rural Development and Infrastructure.

According to him, that appointment debunked claims that Badagry lacked competent individuals to hold key positions in government.

In his remarks, former commissioner, Olanrewaju Saka-Shenayon, dismissed concerns over the political credentials of Dr. Ajose, describing him as a seasoned private sector player with a strong record of contributions to socio-economic development in Lagos West and the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Also lending her support, former House of Representatives member, Rafeequat Arinola Onabamiro, said Dr. Ajose possesses the experience and capacity to govern, citing his over three decades in the private sector.

She noted that past Lagos governors, including Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, did not begin as career politicians but went on to leave impactful legacies.

Onabamiro lamented that since the creation of Lagos State in 1967, Badagry Division has yet to produce a governor, deputy governor, minister, or Secretary to the State Government.

She added that Lagos West Senatorial District is united in its support for Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose’s governorship ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.