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| Former President Goodluck Jonathan |
By Blessing Etim & Lois Otse Adams
The Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa has ruled that former President Goodluck Jonathan is now eligible to contest the 2023 presidential election.
Justice Isa Hamma Dashen, the presiding judge, gave the judgement on Friday, 27th May, 2022.
The court held that Jonathan now has the right to vie for the office of president again, as he cannot be stopped by any retroactive law.
Recall that Jonathan, who lost the 2015 election to President Muhammadu Buhari was recently linked with the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential race following the alleged purchase of N100 Million Form on his behalf by a Fulani group.
The former president who has the backing of the Presidency cabal led by the President’s influential nephew, Mamman Daura, may be taking part in the Presidential primary of the APC slated for May 30, 2022 as he now has the Court’s approval to contest.
In his opinion, political analyst and Convener, Deji Adeyanju, who advised the former President to ignore those wooing him, said it was morally wrong for the APC to attempt to sell Jonathan to Nigerians after demonising him for many years.
Adeyanju, maintained that bringing Jonathan on board was a good strategy for the North to quickly return to power since the former President cannot spend more than a term.
“It is a good strategy by the North to give the South power for one term. It makes sense politically. However, I believe it is the turn of the South-East in the interest of equity. Constitutionally, Jonathan can still contest. No law should have retroactive effect because it is against the ethics of law”.
