A member of the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi, has stated that the participation of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2027 presidential election will significantly change Nigeria’s political landscape.

Agbedi, who serves the Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in Bayelsa State in the House of Representatives, also confirmed that the former Nigerian president intends to run for the nation’s highest office again under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Agbedi was inquired about the implications of Jonathan’s candidacy in a race that already features prominent figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Omoyele Sowore, all vying to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the January 2027 election.

“It carries significant weight; it will disrupt the entire political environment,” Agbedi remarked.

The politician from Bayelsa asserted that Jonathan is now more equipped than ever to assume the leadership of the nation, emphasizing that he is the most suitable individual to guide Nigeria at this time.

“He is more qualified for the position. A serious nation within a democratic framework seeks out the most capable individuals, regardless of their location, to respond to the urgent needs of the country by saying, ‘We require a competent, capable, tested, and trusted leader to steer our nation.’ This is the approach of a serious country,” he said.

Agbedi remarked that following eight years under former President Muhammadu Buhari and three years under Tinubu, Nigerians are eager for another four years of Jonathan to bring stability to the nation.

He indicated that conditions are becoming increasingly difficult for Nigerians under the governance of the APC, and many believe that Jonathan is the individual who can save the country.

Agbedi’s statements followed a court ruling that permitted the former president to run in the 2027 presidential election.

On Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a lawsuit brought by attorney Johnmary Jideobi, which sought to prevent Jonathan from participating in the 2027 presidential election.

In delivering the ruling, Justice Lifu also imposed a fine of N20 million against Jideobi in favor of the former president.

Additionally, a fine of N1 million was levied against the plaintiff in favor of the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF.

Justice Lifu determined that Jideobi did not possess the legal standing to file the lawsuit, as he had not experienced any harm from Jonathan’s alleged intention to run in the upcoming election.

The judge pointed out that both a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had previously ruled that Jonathan was eligible to contest, stating that he was obligated to adhere to the appellate court’s ruling.

Justice Lifu subsequently characterized the lawsuit as “an abuse of the court process.”

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has said that he would personally visit ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen to seek their support in next year’s general elections.

Atiku made this remark shortly after he was declared the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, late Wednesday.

DAILY POST reports that Atiku emerged as the flag bearer and presidential candidate of the party beating Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen.

He polled a total of 1,846,370 votes, while Amaechi gor 504,117 votes and Hayatu-Deen secured 177,120 votes.

“I will personally visit Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen and appeal to them to support me.

“We are bringing experience and credibility because most of us who are leading this party have been in government before,” Atiku said.

The National leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Seriake Dickson, says only aspirants who win the party’s primaries will go ahead to pay nomination fees and complete documentation exercise.

Dickson made this disclosure in a statement posted on his verified X handle on Wednesday.

He stated that the decision was arrived at a joint meeting attended by Cleopas Moses, NDC national chairman, Peter Obi, the party’s presidential aspirant, and members of the National Working Committee, NWC, as well as the selection committee.

“Following a briefing at the joint meeting of the Selection Committee and the Screening Committee, and in view of the constraints of time, it was decided that all those who purchased Expression of Interest Forms would be allowed to participate in the primaries in their various constituencies.

“Only successful candidates will report to the party secretariat for documentation and, in the process, pay for nomination forms and complete other necessary forms.

“The teams for the primaries have been selected, comprising senior officials of the party, and have been deployed to every state to conduct the exercise with the support of stakeholders and local leaders. We wish them success in this important assignment,” the statement said.

The former Bayelsa state governor, while noting that the party is women- and youth-friendly, urged the teams for the primaries to pay attention to aspirants with the capacity to win elections.

According to him, the primaries would be held on May 28 and 29, noting that aspirants should use their expression of interest forms to enable them to participate in the exercise.

The serving Bayelsa Senator equally announced the inauguration of an appeal panel to address complaints arising from the primaries.

He said direct primaries for state assembly positions would take place at constituency level, while House of Representatives, senate, governorship, and presidential affirmations would be held at local government headquarters.