Ex-President Jonathan eligible to contest presidency – Court rules

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been cleared to contest presidency in 2027 general election by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday.

Jonathan’s interest was renacted by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki last week when he was granted a waiver.

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The PDP also adopted adopted him as its preffered presidential candidate, citing his pedigree in his previous administration.
The development trigerred lawsuit over his eligibility, having taken an oath of office two previous times.

An Abuja-based lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, therefore sued Jonathan before a Federal High Court seeking an order to restrain him from presenting himself to any political party as a candidate in the 2027 presidential race.

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The Court was also asked to bar Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting, processing, or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.

The lawyer cited Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, to determine whether the former president remains eligible to seek the office again.

Justice Peter Lifu on Tuesday held that Jonathan is eligible to offer himself for presidency inbthe general election.

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