A Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has ruled that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest in the presidential election.
The judgment, delivered on May 27, 2022, by Justice Isah Dashem, affirmed that Jonathan’s swearing-in in 2010 to complete the tenure of late President Umaru Yar’Adua does not disqualify him from seeking the presidency.
According to the court, Jonathan was only elected into the office of President once, in 2011, and his subsequent loss in the 2015 presidential election does not affect his eligibility to contest again.
The judge also held that the provisions of Section 137(3) of the Constitution, which bar persons who have completed another’s tenure from contesting twice, do not apply to Jonathan because the law was passed in 2018, when he already had the right to contest.
Jonathan’s aides have confirmed that he is still consulting on whether to throw his hat in the ring for the 2027 presidential election, with several political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC), showing interest in having him as their candidate.
The court’s judgment has paved the way for Jonathan’s potential presidential bid, should he decide to run.
