A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ruled that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The judgment followed a suit filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who had asked the court to restrain Jonathan from participating in any political party’s presidential primary ahead of the 2027 general election. He also sought an order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission not to accept or publish Jonathan’s name as a candidate.
Jideobi argued that, in line with provisions of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan was no longer qualified to seek the office of President again.
However, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki had earlier granted Jonathan a waiver, naming him as a preferred presidential contender for the 2027 race.
Delivering judgment, Justice Peter Lifu held that Jonathan remains constitutionally eligible to contest, relying on earlier decisions of both a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal which had already affirmed his qualification.
The court also ruled that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to institute the case, describing the suit as an abuse of court process since he did not demonstrate any personal injury arising from Jonathan’s alleged political ambition.
Consequently, the judge awarded a N20 million fine against Jideobi in favour of Jonathan and another N1 million in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
