Court clears Jonathan to run in 2015

A Federal High Court in sitting in Kaduna has struck out a suit seeking President Jonathan's disqualification from contesting the 2015 Presidential election. The plaintiffs - Richard Mneaga, and Shuaibu Lill - had asked the court to prevent INEC and the PDP from allowing the President to present himself as a candidate in 2015, claiming that the president has already served for a maximum eight years in office counting from May 29, 2007.

The presiding judge, Justice Evelyn Anyadike, however ruled that the plaintiffs lacked the locus standi to sue the President since section 308 of the Constitution gives him immunity not to sue or be sued. She noted that the president has the right to contest the election if he so desires.

Justice Anyadike also said the court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the matter since the plaintiffs did not follow the due process of filing their case, saying the petition was served out of jurisdiction.

President Jonathan is yet to formally declare his intention for a second term in office although it is widely believed he will do so in no distant time.