Goodluck Jonathan Eligibility: PDP Hails Court Ruling Ahead of 2027 Election

|By Adejumo Adekunle- The Taminu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has welcomed the court ruling on Goodluck Jonathan eligibility, after a Federal High Court in Abuja affirmed that the former president can contest the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement released by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party said the judgment aligned with both the law and “common sense”. He argued that laws cannot operate retroactively.

Furthermore, the PDP described the lawsuit challenging Goodluck Jonathan eligibility as an abuse of court process. According to the party, the case created an unnecessary distraction at a crucial political moment.

The faction also praised the court for imposing punitive costs on the plaintiff. It said the move would discourage individuals and groups attempting to undermine democratic processes through repeated legal actions.

In addition, the statement linked the ruling to the party’s earlier decision to grant former President Goodluck Jonathan a screening waiver ahead of the PDP primaries.

The party insisted that the ruling has now cleared every obstacle to Jonathan’s possible return bid. PDP primaries to select candidates for the 2027 general election are scheduled for May 28, 2026.

Meanwhile, political observers say the debate around Goodluck Jonathan eligibility could reshape alliances within Nigeria’s opposition politics in the months ahead.