The cousin to the former President Goodluck Jonathan, Azibaola Robert has declared that Jonathan is legally qualified to contest Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.
Robert’s remarks follow heated debate over whether Jonathan, who served as president between 2010 and 2015, can return to the ballot. Some stakeholders believe the former president remains the strongest opposition figure capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
While Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo (SAN) and human rights lawyer Professor Chidi Odinkalu argue that Jonathan is constitutionally barred, Robert dismissed their claims.
Writing on his Facebook page, he reminded both men that he too is a lawyer and a pro-democracy activist, saying that Jonathan has access to top legal minds who advise him.
- “GEJ is 100% constitutionally and legally qualified to contest if he chooses to. If he chooses not to yield to the overwhelming calls, it would not be because he is not qualified,” Robert wrote.
He further cautioned against offering “unsolicited legal advice,” insisting that subsisting court judgments — including one involving the APC — affirm Jonathan’s eligibility.
Robert, however, clarified that his comments do not confirm Jonathan’s candidacy for 2027.
