The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has broken its silence following the Federal High Court's judgment that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election. In a statement released by the party's National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP described the ruling as consistent with both the law and democratic principles.
PDP: Judgment Aligns with Law and Common Sense
The opposition party asserted that the court's decision confirmed that laws should not be applied retroactively against individuals. The statement emphasized that the judgment validated Jonathan's constitutional right to seek elective office, despite having previously taken the presidential oath twice. "This judgment is clearly in alignment with the law and common sense, as laws cannot have a retroactive or retrospective effect," the PDP stated.
PDP Condemns Legal Challenge Against Former President
The PDP criticized the legal challenge filed against Jonathan, describing it as unnecessary and an abuse of court processes. The party also welcomed the punitive cost imposed on the plaintiff, noting that it would discourage politically motivated distractions aimed at undermining democracy. "The suit, which, for all intents and purposes, was vexatious and a gross abuse of court processes, was a very unnecessary distraction that ought not to have been instituted in the first instance," the statement added.
Pathway Now Clear for Jonathan
The PDP further noted that the ruling, combined with the screening waiver earlier granted to Jonathan, had cleared the way for his possible participation in the PDP presidential primary scheduled for May 28, 2026. According to the party, this development has strengthened momentum around what it described as Jonathan's "presidential rescue mission." "This development, coupled with the screening waiver that our party had granted President Goodluck Jonathan, has made the pathway for his presidential rescue mission totally unfettered," the statement said.
The ruling has intensified political attention on the PDP's forthcoming presidential primary, where Jonathan is expected to remain a major figure amid growing speculation over his potential return to active politics ahead of the 2027 general election.
Reactions from Other Political Figures
Previously, Peter Obi, a 2027 presidential aspirant, dismissed speculation that Jonathan could pose a threat to his ambition, stating he was unconcerned about potential opponents. The political landscape continues to evolve as the 2027 elections approach.
