PDP faction hails court ruling on Jonathan's 2027 eligibility

A faction of Nigeria's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has celebrated a Federal High Court ruling that validates former President Goodluck Jonathan's eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election. The court in Abuja declared that Jonathan remains eligible to seek the presidency, even after having taken the oath of office twice previously.

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

The PDP faction, led by Kabiru Turaki, issued a statement on Tuesday, calling the judgment "in line with the law and common sense." They emphasized that legal statutes cannot be applied retroactively or retrospectively. The party further condemned the suit that challenged Jonathan's eligibility as "vexatious" and a "gross abuse of court processes," deeming it an unnecessary distraction.

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vexatious

The party also welcomed the punitive cost imposed on the plaintiff, viewing it as a deterrent against individuals who might attempt to disrupt democracy. The court's decision, combined with a screening waiver previously granted to Jonathan by the PDP, has now cleared the path for his participation in the party's presidential primary. The PDP stated that the primaries to select all its candidates are scheduled for May 28, 2026, and Jonathan's presidential bid is now "totally unfettered."

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a gross abuse of court processes