Court to Decide Jonathan's 2027 Presidential Eligibility Today

Justice Peter Lifu will deliver a ruling today, May 26, 2026, regarding the eligibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan to run for the presidency in the 2027 elections. The case was brought forth by plaintiff Johnmari Jideobi, who is seeking a court order to restrain Jonathan from presenting himself as a candidate for the presidency.

The suit questions whether Jonathan, who has previously held the office and left in 2015, is eligible under sections 1, 2, 3, and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution. Last week, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, a leader within the People's Democratic Party (PDP), offered a waiver for Jonathan's candidacy.

The plaintiff has also requested that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) be stopped from accepting or publishing Jonathan's name as a presidential candidate.