The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that former President Goodluck Jonathan is legally qualified to contest the 2027 presidential election.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, the court held that there is no legal restriction stopping Jonathan from running for the office again. The judge further noted that the question of his eligibility had already been addressed by the Court of Appeal, making the current suit unnecessary.
The case was filed by an Abuja based lawyer, Mr Jideobi Johnmary, who challenged Jonathan’s eligibility on the grounds that he had previously been sworn in as president more than once. The court, however, dismissed the case, describing it as lacking merit and an abuse of judicial process.
Justice Lifu also ruled that the plaintiff had no legal standing to bring the matter before the court, and therefore could not pursue the claims he raised.
In his suit marked FHC ABJ CS 2102 2025, the lawyer asked the court to determine whether Jonathan could lawfully contest for the presidency again under sections of the 1999 Constitution. He also sought orders that would permanently stop Jonathan from presenting himself for any political party’s nomination for the 2027 election and beyond.
The suit further requested an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate, as well as a directive compelling the Attorney General of the Federation to enforce the court’s decision.
In an affidavit supporting the case, the plaintiff argued that if Jonathan were to win the 2027 election and serve another four year term, it would exceed the constitutional limit of eight years in office. He maintained that Jonathan had already completed a partial term following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and later served a full elected term after the 2011 election.
He warned that allowing Jonathan to contest could lead to a situation where he would be sworn in as president for a third time, which he described as contrary to the provisions of the constitution.
