Court permits Goodluck Jonathan to run in the 2027 presidential election

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

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, offered a waiver to Jonathan last week, positioning him as the party’s sole presidential candidate.

However, Johnmary Jideobi had filed a suit seeking an order that would prevent Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as a candidate for the 2027 election.

The plaintiff had previously asked the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting, processing or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.

He requested the court to determine whether, in light of Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan remains eligible to seek the presidency again.

In his ruling on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu held that Jonathan could participate in the election as a contestant.