A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ruled that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to participate in the 2027 presidential election.
Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu held that Jonathan’s eligibility to contest had already been affirmed by both a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal, stating that he was bound by the earlier appellate decisions.
The court also ruled on a suit filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi challenging Jonathan’s eligibility. Justice Lifu dismissed the case, holding that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to institute the action, as he failed to demonstrate any personal injury or direct impact arising from Jonathan’s alleged intention to contest the presidency.
The judge further upheld a N20 million fine imposed on the lawyer and also awarded an additional N1 million cost against the plaintiff in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
According to the court, the action was unmeritorious and constituted an abuse of judicial process, noting that the issue of Jonathan’s eligibility had already been settled by higher courts.
The ruling effectively clears the former president to participate in the 2027 presidential race, subject to meeting other constitutional and electoral requirements as stipulated by law.
