The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has responded to a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja which held that Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election, despite concerns linked to his previous tenure in office.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the party said the court’s decision is consistent with established legal interpretation, particularly on the non-retroactive application of laws.
According to the PDP, “this judgment is clearly in alignment with the law and common sense, as laws cannot have a retroactive or retrospective effect.”
The party also criticised the legal action that led to the case, describing it as unnecessary. It stated that the suit amounted to an abuse of court process and should not have been filed in the first place.
“The suit, for all intents and purposes, was vexatious and a gross abuse of court processes,” the statement read. It added that the court’s decision to impose costs on the plaintiff was “welcomed, to serve as a deterrent to intending busybodies and irritants.”
The PDP further linked the ruling to its internal political process, noting that Jonathan has already been granted a waiver for screening ahead of its presidential primary. The party said this clears the way for his participation in its nomination process ahead of the primaries scheduled for May 28, 2026.
The statement concluded that recent developments “have made the pathway for his presidential rescue mission totally unfettered,” referring to his expected participation in the party’s contest.
The statement was signed by Comrade Ini Ememobong, mnipr, National Publicity Secretary of the Interim National Working Committee of the PDP.
