In recent weeks, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has reportedly been approached by some Northern political elites, urging him to consider running for the presidency in the 2027 elections.
These calls for Jonathan’s return stem from growing dissatisfaction with the current administration under President Bola Tinubu, particularly regarding policies that many believe are worsening economic hardships across the nation.
Despite these appeals, a legal barrier prevents Jonathan from running for the presidency again. In 2018, then-President Muhammadu Buhari signed an amendment to the Nigerian Constitution, which effectively bars Jonathan from seeking another term.
This amendment is known as the Constitution Amendment Act Number 16. It states that any individual who has taken the presidential oath more than once is ineligible to contest for that office again.
Jonathan first assumed office in 2010, following the death of then-President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He later won the 2011 presidential election and served a full term but was defeated by Buhari in the 2015 election. Due to the constitutional change, Jonathan cannot run for president again, regardless of the pressure from Northern politicians seeking a new direction for the country.
This amendment was introduced to prevent individuals from serving more than two terms, regardless of how they initially assumed office. Consequently, Jonathan remains constitutionally ineligible to seek the presidency in 2027, despite the mounting calls for his return to power.
