PDP hails court judgement affirming Jonathan’s eligibility for 2027 presidency

The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has welcomed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja affirming the eligibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election.

The party, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, described the ruling as being in line with the law and “common sense.”

The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, had ruled that Jonathan remained eligible to seek the presidency despite previously taking the oath of office as president twice.

Reacting to the judgment, the PDP said laws could not have retroactive or retrospective effect.

“This judgment is clearly in alignment with the law and common sense, as laws cannot have a retroactive or retrospective effect.

The opposition party also described the suit challenging Jonathan’s eligibility as “vexatious” and “a gross abuse of court processes,” the statement read.

According to the PDP, the legal action was an unnecessary distraction that should not have been instituted.

“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,” the party stated.

The PDP further said the court ruling, alongside the screening waiver earlier granted to Jonathan by the party, had cleared the path for his participation in its presidential primary.

“This development, coupled with the screening waiver that our party had granted President Goodluck Jonathan, has made the pathway for his presidential rescue mission totally unfettered, especially as the primaries of the party to select all its candidates will hold on May 28, 2026,” the statement added.