BREAKING: Court rules Jonathan eligible to contest 2027 presidential election

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

The ruling comes after a legal challenge filed by Johnmary Jideobi, who asked the court to restrain Jonathan from presenting himself as a candidate under any political party and to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (Independent National Electoral Commission) from accepting or publishing his name.

Jideobi had argued that, based on relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan should be disqualified from seeking the presidency again. He also sought a court order preventing any political party from fielding him as a candidate.

The case followed reports that a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, had granted Jonathan a waiver and reportedly considered him for its presidential ticket.

However, in his ruling on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu held that Jonathan remains constitutionally qualified to contest the 2027 election, effectively clearing him to participate in the race.