News
Constitution amendment: Jonathan can’t re-contest for President, say SANs
Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria have argued that former President Goodluck Jonathan cannot seek re-election into the office of the President with the coming into force of the latest constitutional amendment.
The amendment to the constitution signed by President Muhammadu Buhari last week stops a vice-president who completes the term of a President from contesting to be President more than one time.
It also stops a deputy governor who completes the term of a governor from seeking a second term in office as a governor.
A President’s term can be cut short by reasons of death, resignation, or death to pave the way for the Vice-President to complete the term of the departed President.
Following the death of then President Umaru Yar’adua in 2010, Jonathan as the then Vice-President, took a new oath of office to complete Yar’Adua’s term as President.
Had the law come into force in 2015 Jonathan would have been ineligible to contest the March 2015 presidential election which he lost to Buhari.
Despite the fact that Jonathan’s situation predated the new constitutional amendment, Messrs Paul Ananaba (SAN) and Ahmed Raji (SAN), argued in separate telephone interviews with one of our correspondents on Friday, that the former President could not seek a re-election into the office of the President under the current 1999 Constitution.
Without specifically mentioning Jonathan’s name, Raji argued that whoever had found himself or herself in a situation captured by the new amendment to the 1999 Constitution could not seek re-election into that same office more than once.
Raji said, “We have to look at the wordings of the new provision carefully to ascertain the mischief the amendment seeks to avoid or remove.
“I want to guess that the amendment is aimed at avoiding a situation where any person will occupy the seat of a Governor or President for a period more than eight years.
“This will be in line with the Supreme Court decision in Marwa vs Nyako. If that is the case, I will humbly think that the amendment will be applicable to all who have found themselves in such situation since 1999 when the constitution took effect.
“Any contrary interpretation will give rise to possible two classes of people under the same dispensation which will not augur well for our jurisprudence. Individual interests must bow to overall public interest.”
On his part, Ananaba said he had always argued that Jonathan was not qualified to seek re-election in 2015 even before the new amendment.
He said, “It is correct. It is the right thing to do. I have always canvassed that Jonathan had no right to go for a second term. This is because the governor and the deputy governor just like the President and the vice President ran on the same ticket which made it unnecessary to conduct an election to fill that position if the position of the governor or that of the President suddenly becomes vacant.
“So, once the Deputy Governor or the Vice-President completes the term, it means the term has been completed.
“In Goodluck Jonathan’s case, I argued that, though many people disagreed and even some courts even gave judgment contrary to my view, that if he (Jonathan) had won in 2015 he would have been in office for more than eight years which the constitution never envisages.
“This amendment is in good faith and I commend the government for it.”
…Omisore, Kaka, other ex-deputy governors divided over new law
Meanwhile, some ex-deputy governors are divided over the desirability of the constitutional amendment, which also stops a deputy governor who completes the term of a governor from seeking a second term in office.
A former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Senator Adegbenga Kaka, said it was undemocratic to restrict former deputy governors to a single term of office after they had completed a term with the governors.
He said the electorate should have the final say on the fate of former deputy governors, or in the alternative a step should be taken to amend the constitution to give deputy governors more meaningful roles.
He said, “It is undemocratic to restrict former deputy governors to a single term after completion of a term. We all know that the deputy governors are like spare tyres, they are only allowed to operate within the areas given to them by the governors.”
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Hazeem Gbolarumi, however, said the ban was a welcome development, saying it would allow more capable people to aspire for the top seat.
He said, “What the president has done is a welcome development but I would have preferred a law restricting presidents and governors to only one term of six years. That will be better than governors and presidents spending eight years.
“The second term is always a waste. In six years, you should be able to do whatever you want to do. The experience we have had in seeking re-election is not palatable. It comes with intimidation and harassment of people. It is a bad idea for our kind of politics. It kills political career of many good politicians who may never get a chance because of two-term agenda of presidents and governors. But the new law is not bad because it gives room for more qualified people to aspire to become governors and presidents.”
A former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, said he was indifferent over the new law.
Omisore, who was deputy to Chief Bisi Akande, said there were some ambiguities surrounding the new law which should be removed.
He said, “I am indifferent about it. But there are ambiguities around the new law and it must be removed. Such law will disrupt zoning like it did when Jonathan took over after the death of Umaru Yar’Adua.”
The current Deputy Governor of Kwara State, Mr. Peter Kisira, said he was not opposed to the law, describing it as good for all.
In a response through his media aide, Mr. Bunmi Adedoyin, the deputy governor noted that the law had passed through all the legislative processes before it was given assent by Buhari.
According to a former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chris Ekpenyong, the length of time one spends in leading a state does not matter.
“It is a function of who is there and what he wants; the issue is what does he want to offer and how does he go about it.”
Two former deputy governors of Taraba State, Alhaji Armayau Abubakar and Uba Ahmadu, hailed the President for enacting the law, describing it as good for democracy.
Two other SANs, Tayo Oyetibo and Mike Ozekhome, have expressed divergent views over the law.
Oyetibo said such constitutional amendment was good for democracy and would stabilise the political system, as well as ensure the unwritten zoning pattern.
Ozekhome, however, noted that the amendment was inappropriate and unfair to deputy governors and vice-presidents.
The Minister-designate for Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has firmly clarified that he never promised to fix Nigeria’s national electricity grid within three months, describing such claims circulating in sections of the media as a misrepresentation of his Senate screening remarks.
A statement issued after his appearance before the Senate stressed that Tegbe was deliberate and cautious in his presentation, avoiding unrealistic timelines while outlining a structured reform pathway for the power sector.
According to the clarification, Tegbe explained that while Nigerians can expect early signs of progress, particularly in grid stabilisation within his first 100 days in office, comprehensive reforms will be guided strictly by technical assessments, stakeholder consultations, and sector realities.
He noted that critical challenges such as gas supply constraints, metering gaps, infrastructure decay, and commercial inefficiencies require coordinated interventions that cannot be resolved through arbitrary timelines.
“My commitment to this distinguished chamber and to Nigerians is clear: we will deliver visible and measurable improvement in the power sector,” Tegbe stated during the screening.
He assured that his focus would include stabilising the national grid, modernising transmission and distribution infrastructure, strengthening commercial frameworks, and enforcing accountability across the electricity value chain.
On tariff policy, the minister-designate reaffirmed that reforms would be carefully designed to balance sustainability with social protection, ensuring that vulnerable households are shielded while also restoring investor confidence in the sector.
The statement further emphasised that Tegbe’s approach reflects discipline, technical understanding, and a reform-minded agenda aimed at delivering lasting solutions rather than short-term political promises.
It added that he remains open to responsible media engagement and constructive clarification where necessary, noting that accurate reporting is essential to public understanding of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s power sector.
Tegbe reaffirmed his readiness to lead a transparent, results-driven reform process anchored on accountability, realism, and measurable progress.
A grand cultural renaissance celebrating the enduring legacy of legendary Yoruba war hero and statesman, Ogedengbe Agbogungboro, will take centre stage as the 2026 edition of Ogedengbe Fiesta holds from July 29 to 31 across Osun State and Ekiti State.
The three-day heritage festival, unveiled by organisers on Wednesday, is themed, “Ogedengbe Agbogungboro Legacy: Leadership, Security, and Statecraft for Modern Governance in Nigeria.”
The event is designed to preserve Yoruba cultural heritage, deepen historical consciousness, promote tourism and stimulate national conversations on leadership, peacebuilding and governance.
According to the organisers, the fiesta will commence with traditional homage at Atorin and heritage excursions to notable Kiriji War historical sites in Imesi-Ile, where participants will relive significant moments in Yoruba military and political history.
The programme will also feature guided visits to the historic Ogedengbe Cave, Ibu Latoosa Site and the Yoruba Peace Treaty Grove, all regarded as symbolic monuments of Yoruba resilience, diplomacy and unity.
As part of activities lined up for the celebration, participants will tour the gardens of renowned legal icon and elder statesman, Afe Babalola, in Okemesi-Ekiti.
The organisers further disclosed that a Legacy Awards and Hall of Fame Investiture ceremony would hold in Ilesa to honour individuals who have contributed immensely to the promotion of Yoruba culture, leadership and community development.
A distinguished personality lecture in honour of Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, OFR, CON, and Arole Fabunmi of Okemesi-Ekiti is also expected to headline the event, with scholars, traditional rulers, cultural enthusiasts and public intellectuals billed to discuss pathways to strengthening governance and security through indigenous values and historical lessons.
The organisers noted that all activities would commence daily by 11am, adding that the festival would serve as a rallying point for lovers of Yoruba culture, history and tourism across Nigeria and beyond.
They described the fiesta as not only a celebration of the heroic exploits of Ogedengbe Agbogungboro, but also a strategic platform to inspire a new generation of leaders through the ideals of courage, unity, patriotism and visionary leadership.
The Federal Government on Tuesday ruled out any plan to reinstate fuel subsidy despite worsening economic hardship and mounting public pressure.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, stated this in Paris, France, during a meeting with global investors alongside President Bola Tinubu.
Oyedele said the government would also not introduce price controls, stressing that market forces remain the preferred mechanism for determining petrol prices.
“We will not bring back fuel subsidy because it creates distortions for the economy, and we won’t introduce price control because we believe in the market,” he said.
The minister argued that the subsidy regime had long undermined economic efficiency, adding that emerging global energy shifts, including developments in Iran, present fresh investment opportunities for Nigeria.
The removal of petrol subsidy in May 2023 triggered a steep rise in inflation, worsening the country’s cost-of-living crisis.
Nigeria’s headline inflation climbed from 22.41 per cent in May 2023 to 34.19 per cent by June 2024 — its highest level in nearly two decades — driven by surging fuel, food, and transportation costs.
Food inflation further accelerated, exceeding 39 per cent by October 2024, while transport fares soared by nearly 300 per cent, compounded by currency devaluation.
Despite the economic strain, Tinubu defended the policy, saying it had stabilised the foreign exchange market.
“Subsidy that was a burden to the entire country was removed, and ever since we have achieved FX stability,” the President said, according to his Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun.
In a related statement, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the administration’s reforms were aimed at eliminating structural distortions, strengthening macroeconomic stability, and laying the foundation for inclusive growth.
He added that the government remained committed to fiscal discipline and transparency.
Highlighting economic progress, Oyedele disclosed that Nigeria recorded an 11.2 per cent growth in Gross Domestic Product in dollar terms in 2025, describing it as a major step towards the country’s ambition of building a $1tn economy by 2030.
He also pledged that the government would begin publishing quarterly financial reports to enhance accountability and public trust.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Debt Management Office, Patience Oniha, assured investors of Nigeria’s commitment to prudent borrowing and sustainable debt management.
The Federal Government has continued to defend its reform agenda despite growing public discontent, insisting that the long-term gains will outweigh the current economic pains.
-
Politics1 day ago2027: APC Perfects Consensus Strategy for Oyo
-
Politics3 days ago2027: Oyo APC Set for Credible Direct Primaries, Says Alake Adeyemo
-
Crime & Court15 hours agoUNIBEN killing: Edo security squad arrests 12 suspected cultists, seals initiation centres
-
Opinion21 hours agoWhy Ibadan North youths are rooting for Repete