A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election, dismissing a suit that sought to stop him from returning to the ballot.
Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu held that Jonathan retains the constitutional right to seek the office of president again, despite arguments that he had already exhausted the maximum tenure allowed under the Nigerian Constitution.
The case was filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who asked the court to restrain Jonathan from presenting himself as a presidential candidate in 2027. He also requested an order preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name should he emerge as a candidate.
Why the Lawsuit Was Filed in the First Place
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, Jideobi argued that Jonathan had already taken the presidential oath twice and should therefore be disqualified from contesting again.
The plaintiff relied on Sections 1 and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, insisting that allowing Jonathan to run would violate the constitutional limit of two tenures for a Nigerian president.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the suit by Emmanuel Agida, Jonathan had already completed the unexpired tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua before winning the 2011 presidential election for a full four-year term.
The plaintiff argued that if Jonathan were to contest and win in 2027, he would exceed the maximum eight years constitutionally allowed for a Nigerian president.
“The plaintiff believes that the 1st defendant, having completed the unexpired term of late President Yar’Adua and subsequently served a full term after the 2011 election, has exhausted the constitutional limit of two tenures as president,” the affidavit stated.
Jideobi also warned that if the court failed to intervene, a political party could present Jonathan as a candidate in the 2027 election, leading to what he described as a constitutional breach.
Court Dismisses the Suit
However, Justice Peter Lifu dismissed the case, ruling that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to institute the suit because he failed to prove any personal injury or loss.
The judge noted that both a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had previously ruled that Jonathan remains eligible to contest presidential elections in Nigeria.
Justice Lifu said he was bound by the earlier decisions of the appellate court and described the suit as “an abuse of court process.”
The court also dismissed a separate application filed by the plaintiff seeking the withdrawal of the judge from the matter, calling the request frivolous.
Court Awards N21 Million Fine
In a major twist, the court imposed financial penalties against the plaintiff.
Justice Lifu ordered Jideobi to pay:
- N20 million in damages to Goodluck Jonathan
- N1 million to the Attorney-General of the Federation
The court held that the suit was unnecessary and lacked merit.
PDP Faction Offers Jonathan Sole Ticket
The judgment comes amid growing political conversations ahead of the 2027 general election.
Last week, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki reportedly offered Jonathan a waiver to emerge as the party’s sole presidential candidate.
Although Jonathan has not officially declared interest in the 2027 race, the latest court ruling is expected to intensify political speculation around a possible return to active presidential politics.
Political analysts say the decision could reshape opposition calculations ahead of the next election cycle, especially as coalition talks continue among major opposition figures and parties.
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