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

The judgment followed a suit filed by Johnmary Jideobi, who sought an order restraining Jonathan from presenting himself as a presidential candidate in the next general election.

Court Rejects Suit Against Jonathan

The plaintiff had asked the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission from accepting, processing or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate for 2027.

Jideobi also requested the court to determine whether Jonathan remained eligible to seek the office of president again under Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution.

However, delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu held that the former president could lawfully participate in the election.

The ruling effectively clears the way for Jonathan to seek the presidency again if he decides to contest.

PDP Faction Offers Jonathan Waiver

The development comes days after a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki reportedly offered Jonathan a waiver as the party’s sole presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 election.

The move had intensified political discussions over a possible return of the former president to active electoral politics.

Jonathan’s Political History

Goodluck Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president between 2010 and 2015 after completing the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua before winning the 2011 presidential election.

He later lost the 2015 presidential election to former President Muhammadu Buhari, becoming the first sitting Nigerian president to lose a re-election bid.

Since leaving office, Jonathan has remained active in diplomatic and peacebuilding efforts across Africa, while repeatedly facing calls from political supporters to return to the presidential race.