The 1999 constittuion of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on June 4, 2018 is restraining former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from being elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for another four years term.
Section 137 subsection 3 of the amended Constitution which applies in Jonathan’s case says:
“A person who was sworn-in as President to complete the term for which another person was elected as president shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term”.
This indeed means that Jonathan who completed late President Musa Yar’Adua term and was elected for his personal fresh mandate in 2011 of which he was sworn in as Nigeria President can no more seek election into that same office.
Reasons to confirm the possibility of Jonathan return into the Villa, became necessary when flesh is adding into rumours making the rounds that former President Goodluck Jonathan has finalized plans to join the All Progressives Congress-APC with intend and purpose to contest the 2023 presidential election.
Rights Activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana drew the attention of power brokers and Nigerians on this new section of the Constitution yesterday night.
Falana who appealed to former President sense of reasoning, less he embarrassed himself by going against the law of land said:
“However, Jonathan is disqualified from contesting the said election by virtue of 137 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended which provides as follows: A person who was sworn in to complete the term for which another person was elected as President shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.”