A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The ruling followed moves by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, which last week granted Jonathan a waiver and presented him as the group’s sole presidential candidate for the 2027 poll.
The suit was filed by a private citizen, Johnmary Jideobi, who sought an order restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as a presidential aspirant.
The plaintiff had also asked the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission from accepting, processing or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.
At the centre of the legal dispute was the interpretation of Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution and whether Jonathan still possesses the constitutional right to seek another term in office.
Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu ruled in favour of the former president, holding that Jonathan remains constitutionally qualified to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The judge dismissed arguments seeking to disqualify him and affirmed that he is free to participate in the election process if he chooses to do so.
The ruling is expected to generate political and legal debate ahead of the 2027 general elections, especially within opposition political circles.