A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ruled that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election
The case was filed by Johnmary Jideobi, who had asked the court to restrain Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party or participating in the 2027 presidential race.
He also sought an order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission from accepting, processing, or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate.
Jideobi had argued that, based on relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan was no longer qualified to seek the office of President again.
Meanwhile, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki had recently granted Jonathan a waiver, positioning him as a potential presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu held that Jonathan remains qualified to contest the election, noting that previous decisions by a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had already affirmed his eligibility.
The judge also described the suit as an abuse of court process and ruled that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to bring the case, saying he did not suffer any injury from Jonathan’s alleged political ambition.
Justice Lifu further awarded a fine of N20 million against Jideobi in favour of Jonathan, and another N1 million against the plaintiff in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
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