By: Barth Ozah
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Delivering judgment, Justice Peter Lifu held that there is no constitutional barrier preventing Jonathan from seeking another term in office.
The judge stated that the issue of the former president’s eligibility had already been settled by the Court of Appeal.
The court also dismissed the suit filed by Abuja-based lawyer, Jideobi Johnmary, describing it as frivolous and an abuse of court process.
Justice Lifu ruled that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to institute the case.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, the plaintiff argued that Jonathan was ineligible to contest because he had previously taken the presidential oath twice — first after the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and later following his election in 2011.
The plaintiff asked the court to determine whether, based on Sections 1 and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan could still contest for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He also sought an order restraining Jonathan from seeking nomination from any political party for the 2027 election and barring the Independent National Electoral Commission, Independent National Electoral Commission, from accepting or publishing his name as a candidate .
In an affidavit supporting the suit, the plaintiff maintained that if Jonathan contested and won in 2027, he would exceed the constitutional maximum of eight years in office.
However, the court rejected the argument and affirmed Jonathan’s constitutional eligibility to participate in the 2027 presidential race.(PGSNews)
