An Abuja Federal High Court has cleared former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election, dismissing a legal challenge filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi.
This decision follows a move by a PDP faction led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki to grant Jonathan a waiver and endorse him as their preferred candidate for the race.
However, an Abuja-based lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, had approached the court seeking an order to restrain Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as a candidate in the 2027 presidential race.
The plaintiff also asked the court to bar the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting, processing, or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.
He urged the court to determine whether, in line with Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, the former president remains eligible to seek the office again.
In his ruling on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu held that Jonathan is eligible and can participate in the 2027 presidential election.
