PDP lauds court's ruling on Jonathan`s eligibility to re-contest

Abuja - The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lauded the ruling of an Abuja High Court on President Goodluck Jonathan`s eligibility to re-contest the presidency in 2015, describing it as a landmark.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Olisa Metuh, made the commendation in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday.

According to him, the ruling is also a victory to the nation’s democracy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court had ruled that Jonathan, as a Nigerian, has the constitutional right to seek re-election in 2015 on PDP's platform.

It held that Jonathan was in his first term, which commenced on May 29, 2011 and was therefore, free to seek a second term in the 2015 if he so desires.

Metuh maintained that the court’s ruling had freed the nation from "the shackles of intimidation and harassment’’ by some desperate politicians.

According to him, the judiciary has reaffirmed the freedom and right of every Nigerian to seek for any elective office under the constitution.

"It has laid to rest the unnecessary debate on whether or not the president is constitutionally eligible to seek re-election in 2015.

"The import of this judgment is that it is now left for the PDP as party and Nigerians to decide through legitimate processes whether or not to return Jonathan in 2015 if he indicates interest,’’ Metuh said.

He said further that following the ruling it was now left for the president, the PDP and the electorate to decide.

Metuh decried the attitude of some people who were bent on stopping others from exercising their rights.

He urged Nigerians to continue to be law abiding and to "resist all attempts by desperate politicians to truncate the system through the distortion of the facts of the law’’.

He reassured Nigerians that the PDP as a party would continue to ensure the welfare of all citizens in line with Federal Government`s transformation agenda.