Federal High Court Rules Jonathan Eligible for 2027 Presidential Run

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday dismissed a suit challenging former President Goodluck Jonathan's eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election. Judge Peter Lifu ruled that plaintiff Johnmary Jideobi lacked legal standing because he had not suffered any loss from Jonathan's potential candidacy. The judge also described the suit as an abuse of court process.

The court awarded a N20 million fine against Jideobi in favor of Jonathan and a N1 million fine in favor of the Attorney-General of the Federation. Justice Lifu said he was bound by prior rulings from the Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal that had already found Jonathan eligible to run.

Jideobi argued that Sections 1(1), (2) and (3) and 137(3) of the constitution bar anyone sworn in as president more than twice from running again. He asked the court to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission from accepting Jonathan's nomination.

Jonathan's lawyer, Mr. Uche, and the AGF's lawyer, Maimuna Lami-Shiru, both opposed the suit and a separate motion for the judge to recuse himself. They called the recusal request baseless. INEC did not appear in court. The judge foreclosed its case after the hearing on 18 May.