“Jonathan Is Eligible To Run” — Court Dismisses Suit Seeking To Bar Former President From 2027 Race, Awards ₦21m Cost Against Lawyer

A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election, describing the action as frivolous and an abuse of court process.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu held that the plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi, lacked the legal standing to institute the case because he failed to show how Jonathan’s alleged intention to contest the next presidential election had personally affected him or caused him any loss.

The judge awarded ₦20 million cost against Jideobi in favour of Jonathan and an additional ₦1 million in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation, bringing the total cost against the plaintiff to ₦21 million.

Justice Lifu held that the issue of Jonathan’s eligibility had already been settled by competent courts. He noted that a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal in Abuja had previously affirmed that the former president was eligible to contest, adding that the appellate court’s decision remained binding on the Federal High Court.

The court therefore dismissed the suit in its entirety, holding that the plaintiff had no legal right, or locus standi, to maintain the action.

Justice Lifu also rejected Jideobi’s application seeking the judge’s withdrawal from the matter, describing the request as frivolous.

Jideobi had sued Jonathan, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation, asking the court to determine Jonathan’s eligibility to participate in the 2027 presidential election.