Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has castigated Festus Keyamo, SAN, Minister of Aviation, and Prof. Chidi Odinkalu for opposing his speculated 2027 presidential ambition, warning them to stay away from his political decisions.
The duo of Keyamo and Odinkalu had asked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), not to pick former President Jonathan as its 2027 presidential candidate, emphasising that his possible return bid would face legal obstacles since he had already been sworn in twice as president.
However, a statement issued by Jonthan’s cousin, Azibaola Robert, dismissed the expressed concerns of Keyamo and Odinkalu, and stressed that former President Jonathan is 100% constitutionally and legally qualified to contest.
Robert further said that if Jonthan chooses to run or decides not to yield to the overwhelming calls to run, it will not be because he is unqualified.
He pointedly said that the eligibility of former President Jonathan was not in doubt and as such does not required unsolicited advice.
Robert, who wrote on his verified Facebook page, stated: “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.
“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?
“This is not a confirmation that GEJ is running, though,” Robert enthused.
Even though Jonathan has yet to make a formal declaration on the 2027 race, his rumoured ambition has generated substantial reactions as some political stakeholders are of the opinion that he stands a chance to edge out President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
For now, it is not certain if Jonathan will accept to join the race even as lobbyists have intensified efforts to drag him into the race for the 2027.
