The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has officially ruled that former President Goodluck Jonathan is constitutionally eligible to contest for the presidency in the 2027 general election.
This decision effectively puts an end to months of intense legal disputes surrounding the eligibility to contest for the presidency.
Delivering the highly anticipated judgment, Justice Peter Lifu dismissed a suit filed by an Abuja-based legal practitioner, Mr. Jideobi Johnmary. The plaintiff had sought a perpetual injunction to restrain the former president from presenting himself to any political party for nomination, arguing that Jonathan had already taken the oath of office twice.
However, the court completely rejected the argument, labeling the suit an abuse of court process and a waste of judicial time.
Justice Lifu clarified that the core legal questions regarding the Goodluck Jonathan 2027 eligibility had already been thoroughly resolved by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in previous rulings.
Stating that he was firmly bound by those superior judicial precedents, the judge held that the plaintiff lacked the locus standi (legal right) to institute the action since he could not prove any personal loss resulting from Jonathan’s potential candidacy.
Justice Lifu also awarded a N20 million fine against the plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi, who filed the suit based on a constitutional amendment prohibiting anyone from being sworn into the office of the president more than twice. The fine was awarded in favour of Mr Jonathan.
The judge also awarded a N1 million fine against the plaintiff and in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
The judge stated that the appellate court’s decision bound him, as the Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had already ruled that Jonathan was eligible to contest for the presidency again.
The judge then described the lawyer’s suit as “an abuse of court process.”
Justice Lifu also dismissed Jideobi’s motion seeking the judge’s withdrawal from the case for being frivolous.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass however reports that it remains unclear if Jonathan, who lost power to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, is interested in recontesting the office in 2027.
While he remains silent—neither denying nor confirming any intention to return to the office in 2027—about two weeks ago, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, announced him as the party’s sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
