The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election, dismissing a suit challenging his candidacy as frivolous and an abuse of court process.
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Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment, held that there is no legal impediment preventing Jonathan from seeking a return to the presidency. The judge said the issue of Jonathan’s eligibility had already been decided by the Court of Appeal.
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The lawsuit
The suit was filed by Jideobi Johnmary, an Abuja-based legal practitioner, in case number FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025. The plaintiff queried Jonathan’s eligibility on the premise that he had already been sworn in as president on two occasions.
Johnmary sought:
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A perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for nomination as presidential candidate for the 2027 election and years to come
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A perpetual injunction restraining INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate
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An order directing the Attorney-General of the Federation to ensure compliance with the court’s orders
Plaintiff’s argument
In an affidavit deposed by Emmanuel Agida, the plaintiff argued that if Jonathan wins the 2027 election (a four-year term spanning 2027–2031), he would exceed 8 years, the constitutional maximum for a Nigerian president.
Agida contended that Jonathan, having completed the unexpired term of late President Yar’Adua and subsequently served a full term after the 2011 election, had exhausted the constitutional limit of two tenures. He warned that without court intervention, a political party might present Jonathan as a candidate, thereby breaching the Constitution.
“He would be taking the oath of office as President for the third time,” the affidavit stated.
Court’s ruling
Justice Lifu dismissed the suit as frivolous and an abuse of court process, ruling that the plaintiff lacked locus standi (legal right) to institute the action. The judgment affirms that Jonathan remains eligible to run for president in 2027.
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