Former President Goodluck Jonathan has received a major political boost after a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that he is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The judgment, delivered on Tuesday, ended months of debate over whether Jonathan could legally return to the ballot after serving as Nigeria’s president between 2010 and 2015.
The case had challenged his eligibility on the grounds that he had already taken the presidential oath twice.
However, the court dismissed the argument and ruled that the former leader still has the constitutional right to seek office again.
The verdict immediately sparked celebration among loyalists of the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has openly backed Jonathan ahead of its presidential primaries.
In a statement released shortly after the ruling, the faction’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, described the judgment as a victory for both democracy and the rule of law.
According to him, the court simply affirmed what many legal experts had maintained for years, that laws cannot be applied retroactively.
The PDP faction also applauded the court for dismissing the suit and imposing penalties against the plaintiff, arguing that politically motivated lawsuits should not be allowed to interfere with democratic processes.
The development comes just days after the same PDP faction granted Jonathan a screening waiver ahead of its May 28, 2026 presidential primary election, further fueling speculation that the former president may soon officially announce his return to active presidential politics.
Although Jonathan has remained silent about his political plans, the latest court ruling has now removed one of the biggest legal hurdles that could have stopped a possible comeback bid in 2027.
The judgment is already generating widespread reactions across Nigeria’s political space, with supporters viewing it as a fresh opportunity for Jonathan, while critics believe the 2027 race may become even more competitive in the months ahead.
