The Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, has ruled that former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election, news.ng reports.
The court on Tuesday affirmed that Jonathan has the constitutional right to seek re-election, clearing doubts over whether the ex-president, who served as Nigeria’s president between 2010 and 2015, was eligible to contest again.
Recall that Jonathan was sworn into office as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in an acting capacity between February 9, 2010, and May 6, 2010, following the death of his principal, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Jonathan’s second swearing-in was after he contested and won the 2011 presidential election.
Following growing speculation that the former president will join the 2027 presidential race, Johnmary Jideobi filed a suit seeking an order to prevent Jonathan from contesting as a presidential candidate for any political party.
Jideobi had earlier approached the court to stop INEC from accepting Jonathan as a presidential candidate.
Furthermore, the plaintiff asked the court to explain whether Jonathan is still eligible to contest for the office of the presidency again in view of Sections 1(1), (2), (3), and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution.
Section 137(3) explains that any person who is sworn in as President to complete the unexpired term of another elected President cannot be elected to the office of President for more than a single additional term.
But according to Justice Peter Lifu, who ruled that Jonathan can participate in the election as a contestant, Jideobi lacked the legal right to institute such a case.
The judge noted that the matter had already been addressed by a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal, which held that Jonathan was eligible to run, adding that he was bound by the appellate court’s decision.
