Court to decide Jonathan’s eligibility for 2027 presidential election Tuesday

A Federal High Court in Abuja is expected to deliver judgment today, in a suit seeking to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

Justice Peter Lifu will determine whether Jonathan is constitutionally eligible to seek the presidency again after previously taking the oath of office twice before leaving office in 2015.

The suit was filed by Johnmary Jideobi, who is asking the court to restrain the former president from presenting himself to any political party as a candidate in the 2027 election.

The plaintiff is also seeking an order preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting, processing or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.

Jideobi urged the court to interpret Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution to determine whether Jonathan can legally contest for the office again.

Justice Lifu fixed judgment for Tuesday after listening to arguments from counsel to both the plaintiff and the defendant last week.

Meanwhile, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki recently granted Jonathan a waiver and endorsed him as the party’s sole presidential candidate for the 2027 election.