The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, affirming that former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is eligible to contest for the presidency in the forthcoming 2027 general elections, news.ng reports.
In a statement issued by the PDP’s Interim National Working Committee, National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong said the judgment serves as a deterrent to persons allowing themselves to be used to undermine democracy in the country.
The party stated, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has welcomed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, which held that President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest for the presidency, despite having previously sworn to the oath of office of the president twice.
“This judgment is clearly in alignment with the law and common sense, as laws cannot have a retroactive or retrospective effect.
“The suit, which, for all intents and purposes, was vexatious and a gross abuse of court processes, was a very unnecessary distraction that ought not to have been instituted in the first instance.
“The punitive cost against the plaintiff is also very much welcomed, to serve as a deterrent to intending busybodies and irritants, who make themselves available for use by those seeking to derail democracy.”
Recall that the party’s faction led by the Board of Trustees (BoT), chaired by Senator Adolphus Wabara, with Senator Kabiru Tanimu Turaki leading its interim leadership structure, had granted former President Goodluck Jonathan a screening waiver to participate in its presidential primary scheduled for May 28, 2026.
This news platform had earlier reported that Justice Peter Lifu, who presided over the case, ruled that Jonathan can participate in the election as a contestant, stating that the plaintiff, identified as Johnmary 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, both of which held that Jonathan was eligible to run, adding that he was bound by the decision of the appellate court.
