BBC Pidgin of Tuesday, 26 May 2026

Source: BBC

Why court clear ex-president Jonathan for 2027 presidential election contest

Former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan Former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan

Federal High Court for Abuja don clear former President Goodluck Jonathan make im run for di presidential seat in di 2027 election.

Justice Peter Lifu on Tuesday tok say Jonathan fit contest for di election as contestant.

Dis make am dismiss di suit wey try to stop Jonathan from contesting any future presidential election, becos e don take oath of office two times as president.

Di judge tok say di case na waste of di court time becos both federal high court and di court of appeal don already resolve di matta wey concern Jonathan eligibility.

One faction of di Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under di leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, last week offer waiver to Jonathan as di only presidential candidate of di party.

But Johnmary Jideobi, carry di matta go court, make dem stop Jonathan from contesting under any political party himself as candidate for di 2027 presidential election.

Di plaintiff ask di court make dem stop Inec from accepting, processing or publishing Jonathan's name as candidate.

Justice Lifu tok say Jideobi no get legal rights to carry di mata go court, since e no suffer any loss from Jonathan intention to run for di next year election.

Di judge also fine Jideobi 20 million naira ($14,581) and favor di ex-president.

E also award one million fine against di plaintiff and in favor of di Attorney-General of di federation (AGF).

Justice Lifu call di suit abuse of "court process" and dismiss Jideobi motion wey wan make di judge withdraw from di case as frivolous.

Di judge tok say Federal High Court for Yenagoa and Appeal Court don already confam say Jonathan fit run.