Court Clears Goodluck Jonathan to Contest 2027 Presidential Election

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has been cleared by a Federal High Court in Abuja to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Last week, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, granted Jonathan a waiver and endorsed him as the party’s sole presidential candidate.

However, a suit was filed by Johnmary Jideobi seeking an order restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as a candidate in the 2027 presidential election. The plaintiff also urged the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting, processing, or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.

Jideobi asked the court to determine whether, in view of Sections 1(1), 1(2), 1(3), and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan remains eligible to seek the office of president again.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu ruled that Jonathan is eligible to participate in the 2027 presidential election as a contestant.