Court to Deliver Judgment on Jonathan’s Eligibility for 2027 Presidential Race Today

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja is expected to deliver judgment today, May 26, 2026, in a suit seeking to disqualify former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

The case, which has attracted national attention, is being presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, who is also expected to rule on whether Jonathan is constitutionally eligible to take the oath of office again after previously serving as President and taking the presidential oath before leaving office in 2015.

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party reportedly led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki had recently granted Jonathan a waiver and named him as its sole presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.

The suit was filed by Johnmary Jideobi, who is seeking a court order barring the former president from presenting himself to any political party as a candidate in the upcoming presidential election.

The plaintiff is also urging the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission from accepting, processing or publishing Jonathan’s name as a valid presidential candidate.

According to the originating summons, the court is being asked to interpret provisions of the 1999 Constitution, particularly Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3), to determine whether Jonathan remains eligible to contest for the presidency again.

Justice Lifu had fixed today for judgment after hearing arguments from both the plaintiff and defence counsel in previous sittings.

The ruling is expected to have significant political implications ahead of the 2027 general elections, especially within the opposition political space where discussions around potential candidates have continued to intensify.

— News House Political Desk