A Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the eligibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment, held that there was no constitutional barrier stopping Jonathan from seeking another term in office.
The court also dismissed a suit filed by an Abuja-based lawyer, Jideobi Johnmary, challenging the former president’s eligibility to participate in the election.
According to the judge, the issue had already been settled by the Court of Appeal, adding that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to institute the suit.
Johnmary had approached the court in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, arguing that Jonathan was not qualified to contest because he had already taken the oath of office as president on two occasions.
The plaintiff asked the court to determine whether, based on provisions of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan could lawfully seek the office of president again in 2027.
He also sought an order restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for nomination as a presidential candidate.
In addition, he asked the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate in the 2027 election.
The plaintiff further argued that if Jonathan contested and won the election, he would exceed the constitutional limit of eight years in office allowed for a Nigerian president.
According to court documents, the lawyer maintained that Jonathan had completed the unexpired tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua before serving a full term after the 2011 election.
He contended that another tenure would amount to a third oath of office as president.
However, the court rejected the arguments and described the suit as frivolous and an abuse of court process.
