BREAKING: Goodluck Jonathan Qualified To Run Again, Court Declares
The Federal High Court has dismissed a suit seeking to disqualify former President Goodluck Jonathan from participating in the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Peter Lifu, in his judgement, today described the case filed by
as Abuja-based legal practitioner, Johnmary Jideobi as an abuse of court process and subsequently struck it out
In its ruling, the court awarded a cost of ₦20 million against the plaintiff in favour of Jonathan.
The court also ordered the plaintiff to pay an additional ₦1 million cost in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The suit sought to bar the Nigerian former President from contesting the 2027 or future presidential elections.
Justice Peter Lifu, in his judgement, struck out the suit filed by Abuja-based legal practitioner, Johnmary Jideobi, describing it as frivolous and an abuse of court process.
According to the court, the issue of Jonathan’s eligibility had already been decided by the Court of Appeal, which ruled that Jonathan became President through constitutional succession following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010, not through an election, and that his first elected tenure began in 2011.
Justice Lifu stated, “I am bound by the above decision of the Court of Appeal and this court, I have no more to add.”
He dismissed the suit as a waste of the court’s precious time.
The court further held that the plaintiff lacked the locus standi (legal right) to institute the action, as he failed to demonstrate how Jonathan’s potential candidacy directly affected him.
The Judge also awarded a cost of N20 million against the plaintiff in favour of Jonathan, and an additional N1 million in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The plaintiff had sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for nomination as a Presidential Candidate, arguing that Jonathan had already exhausted the constitutional two-term limit after serving Yar’Adua’s tenure and a full elected term from 2011 to 2015.
Jonathan had previously opposed the suit through his lawyer, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), who urged the court to dismiss it with substantial costs, citing existing judgements that had affirmed the former President’s eligibility.
