ABUJA/Nigeria: A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has cleared former President Goodluck Jonathan to participate in the 2027 presidential election, dismissing a suit seeking to stop him from contesting and awarding a total of N21 million in costs against the plaintiff.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the ruling on Tuesday, holding that the former president remains eligible to contest the nation’s highest office and dismissing the legal challenge brought by one Johnmary Jideobi.
The suit had sought an order restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as a candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
Jideobi had also urged the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting, processing or publishing Jonathan’s name should he emerge as a presidential candidate.
The plaintiff asked the court to determine whether, having regard to Sections 1(1), 1(2), 1(3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan remained constitutionally qualified to seek the office of president again.
However, delivering judgment, Justice Lifu ruled in favour of the former president, holding that Jonathan could validly participate in the 2027 election.
The court further awarded N20 million damages against the plaintiff in favour of Jonathan.
In addition, Justice Lifu imposed another N1 million cost against Jideobi in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
The judge held that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to institute the suit, noting that he failed to demonstrate any injury or loss arising from Jonathan’s alleged intention to contest.
Justice Lifu also observed that both a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had previously ruled that Jonathan was eligible to run for office, stressing that he was bound by the appellate court’s decision.
The court subsequently described the suit as “an abuse of court process.”
Justice Lifu equally dismissed the plaintiff’s application seeking his withdrawal from the matter, describing the request as frivolous.
The judgment comes days after a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reportedly led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, offered Jonathan a waiver and adopted him as the party’s sole presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The ruling is expected to further ignite political conversations ahead of the next election cycle, particularly over Jonathan’s future political ambitions and the evolving dynamics within opposition politics. (Source: Daily Trust)
