Former President Goodluck Jonathan has received a legal boost ahead of the 2027 elections after a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that he is eligible to contest.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Tuesday. He dismissed a suit challenging Jonathan’s eligibility and described the case as frivolous and an abuse of court process.
The judge ruled that the plaintiff, lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, had no legal standing to file the suit. According to the court, he failed to show any personal loss or injury linked to Jonathan’s possible presidential ambition.
Justice Lifu also upheld the earlier ₦20 million fine imposed on the lawyer. The court further awarded an additional ₦1 million cost in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The judge said previous court decisions had already settled the matter.
He cited earlier judgments by a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal, both of which affirmed Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the presidency.
Justice Lifu stressed that, as a lower court, he was bound by the decision of the appellate court.
The ruling is expected to fuel fresh political discussions over Jonathan’s future ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
