Court rules Jonathan eligible to contest 2027 presidential election

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ruled that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment in a suit filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who had sought an order preventing Jonathan from contesting the election.

The plaintiff also asked the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission from accepting, processing, or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.

Jideobi urged the court to determine whether, under Sections 1(1), (2), (3), and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan could still seek the office of president.

However, the court held that the former president remains qualified to participate in the 2027 presidential race.

Meanwhile, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki had last week reportedly offered Jonathan a waiver as the party’s sole presidential candidate.