Former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, has stated that former President Goodluck Jonathan is constitutionally barred from contesting in the 2027 presidential election.

Justice Salami explained that the Nigerian Constitution limits any individual to a maximum of two presidential terms or eight years in office. Since Jonathan completed the tenure of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and later served a full term of his own, he has already exceeded the limit permitted by law.

In an opinion piece published recently, the retired jurist warned that any attempt by Jonathan to contest or win the 2027 presidential election would constitute a violation of the Constitution and such a victory “would be nullified by the courts.”

“It is painstakingly and dispassionately demonstrated that the ambition of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to contest for the office of the president in the 2027 general election is effectively and undoubtedly shot down,” Salami wrote.

The clarification follows growing speculation about Jonathan’s possible return to the political scene ahead of 2027.

Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president between 2010 and 2015, has not publicly declared interest in running again but has remained an influential voice in the nation’s political and peace-building affairs.