Just In: Court Clears Jonathan for 2027 Presidential Race

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election, dismissing a suit seeking to bar him from the race.

The suit was filed by Johnmary Jideobi, who asked the court to restrain Jonathan from presenting himself as a presidential candidate under any political party. The plaintiff also sought an order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate for the 2027 election.

The legal action followed a decision by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki to grant Jonathan a waiver and endorse him as the party’s sole presidential candidate.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu held that Jonathan remained constitutionally qualified to seek the office of president. The judge noted that both a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had previously affirmed Jonathan’s eligibility to contest again, adding that he was bound by the appellate court’s decision.

Justice Lifu further ruled that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to institute the suit because he failed to show any personal injury or loss arising from Jonathan’s possible participation in the election.

The court described the suit as “an abuse of court process” and dismissed Jideobi’s application seeking the judge’s withdrawal from the case, describing it as frivolous.

The judge also awarded N20 million damages against the plaintiff in favour of Jonathan, alongside an additional N1 million fine in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation.