Court Clears Jonathan to Contest 2027 Presidential Election

An Abuja Federal High Court has ruled that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election.

The judgement follows a suit filed by Johnmary Jideobi, who sought to stop the former president from participating in the race and asked the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing his name as a candidate.

The plaintiff had argued that provisions of Sections 1(1), 1(2), 1(3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution disqualify Jonathan from recontesting for the office of President, following his earlier tenure.

He also sought an order compelling INEC not to process Jonathan’s nomination by any political party for the 2027 election.

However, delivering judgement on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu held that the former president remains constitutionally qualified to participate in the election, effectively clearing him to contest if he chooses to run.

The case comes amid reports that a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki had earlier granted Jonathan a waiver as a preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 election.