The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election, stating that there is no legal barrier stopping him from running for office again.
Delivering judgment, Justice Peter Lifu held that Jonathan’s eligibility had already been addressed by the Court of Appeal and therefore could not be reopened at the trial court level.
The court also dismissed the suit filed by an Abuja-based lawyer, Mr. Jideobi Johnmary, describing it as frivolous and an abuse of court process. Justice Lifu further ruled that the plaintiff had no legal standing to institute the case.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, the lawyer had asked the court to determine whether Jonathan was eligible to contest another presidential election under relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
He also sought orders restraining Jonathan from presenting himself for nomination and stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission from accepting or publishing his name as a candidate in the 2027 election. The suit further requested that the Attorney-General of the Federation ensure compliance with any court orders issued.
The plaintiff argued that Jonathan, having completed the remaining term of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and later served a full four-year term after the 2011 election, would exceed the constitutional limit if elected again in 2027, effectively amounting to a third oath of office as President.
Elijah Adeyemi
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