The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has affirmed that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment, holding that there is no legal barrier preventing Jonathan from seeking a return to the presidency.
The court also ruled that the question of Jonathan’s eligibility had already been settled by the Court of Appeal.
It further dismissed the suit filed by an Abuja-based lawyer, Mr. Jideobi Johnmary, describing it as frivolous and an abuse of court process.
According to the court, the plaintiff lacked the locus standi (legal right) to institute the action.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, challenged Jonathan’s eligibility on the basis that he had been sworn in as president on two separate occasions.
The lawyer had asked the court to determine:
“Whether in view of the combined provisions of the entirety of Sections 1(1), (2) & (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and their conflated interpretation, is the 1st Defendant eligible, under any circumstances [whatsoever], to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?”
He also sought a perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself for nomination by any political party for the 2027 election.
The plaintiff further asked the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.
Additionally, he sought an order directing the Attorney-General of the Federation to ensure compliance with the court’s decision.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, the plaintiff argued that Jonathan, having completed the unexpired term of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and later served a full term after the 2011 election, had already exceeded the constitutional limit of two terms.
He further contended that allowing Jonathan to contest in 2027 could result in a third oath of office as president, which he described as unconstitutional.
However, Justice Lifu rejected the arguments and struck out the case, effectively clearing Jonathan to participate in future electoral contests.
