A leading figure within the Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa, Barrister Osom Makbere, has emphatically affirmed that former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan remains constitutionally eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Drawing on the provisions of Section 137(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Makbere asserted that any attempts to interpret these provisions otherwise are deliberate distractions by opposition forces.
He stated, “The fear of GEJ has triggered slanted, preposterous and misleading interpretation of the provisions of section 137(b), CFRN, 1999 (As Amended). Artificial mis-intelligence reigns to the reckless disregard of clear and legible textually expressed provisions of the said section.”
Makbere did not delve into elaborate legal analysis, noting that his team was prepared for the opposition’s tactics, saying, “Not intending to dissipate interpretative acumen here, as our team pump muscles and wait for the distractive ploys of the opposition, we state intrepidly that GEJ hazards no qualms en route the 2027 polls and the impugning legal minds should dust their regalia and wait for the ultimate ‘kite-flying’ face off.”
He expressed concern over the audacity with which such interpretations were being propagated among the uninformed public. “What irks one is rather the unabashed temerity with which they misinform the unlettered public,” he remarked.
Maintaining composure, he added, “Once again, not intending to rush into the gravamen of the issues, we keep our gunpowder dry ahead of the polls. Common sense is always going on top over artificial intelligence.”
In sum, Makbere emphasized that the key phrase in Section 137(b)—“elected twice for such office”—is straightforward, and should not be artfully or manipulatively recontextualized.
