A Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the eligibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election, dismissing a suit challenging his potential candidacy.
In a judgment delivered on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu held that the plaintiff, lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, lacked the legal standing to institute the case, stating that he failed to demonstrate any personal injury or legal harm arising from Jonathan’s alleged intention to contest the election.
The court also imposed a N20 million fine against the plaintiff and awarded an additional N1 million in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Justice Lifu ruled that previous judgments delivered by both a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had already settled the issue of Jonathan’s eligibility to seek office again, noting that the appellate court’s decision remained binding.
According to the judge, the suit amounted to “an abuse of court process” and was therefore dismissed for being frivolous.
The case sought to stop Jonathan from participating in the 2027 presidential race based on constitutional interpretations surrounding tenure limits for presidents who completed the terms of deceased leaders.
Jonathan became president in 2010 following the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and later won election in 2011, serving until 2015.
The latest ruling is expected to reignite political discussions around Jonathan’s possible return to active presidential politics ahead of the 2027 general elections, although the former president has not formally declared any intention to contest.
