High Court clears former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest APC Presidential race
By Tuoyo Menugbe
A Federal High Court in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital has given the green light to former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the Presidential primary.
He is now free to contest the primary under the banner of the All Progressives Congress, (APC)
A powerful section within the Presidency and the APC is plotting to return Jonathan chased away by a rainbow coalition led by the same people calling for his return, signalling the mess and rot associated with Nigerian electoral system.
The Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa rule today Friday that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2023 presidential election.
Judge Justice Isa Hamma Dashen gave the order today after the former President sought interpretation of the electoral law.
By the provision of Section 137(1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, no one is expected to occupy the office of the President twice. Mr Jonathan had occupied the office twice, once by default following the death of Mr Yar Adua
Jonathan was sworn in as the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, 2007. In 2010 he again was sworn in as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
If Jonathan wins the APC primary, even without officially being a member of the party, it would be one of the world’s most intriguing experiences in a country where values and morality do not exist in the realm of politics.
There are widespread speculations that the only reason for his choice is to ensure the return of the ruling Northern elite after four years. Jonathan, if he contests and wins will.be entitled to a terminal term of four years after which Presidential power is expected to return to the North
It is strange how a non APC party member will suddenly emerge as the party’,s leader. But in Nigeria, there is infinite capacity for the strangest things in politics.
