Court Clears Goodluck Jonathan To Contest 2027 Presidential Election

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election, dismissing a suit that sought to bar him from the race.

Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Peter Lifu held that there is no constitutional barrier preventing Jonathan from seeking re-election, and described the case filed against him as an abuse of court process.

The suit, filed by an Abuja-based lawyer, had asked the court to determine whether Jonathan, who assumed office in 2010 after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and was later elected in 2011, could still legally contest the presidency again.

But the court ruled that the issue had already been settled by earlier decisions of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, meaning it could not be relitigated.

Justice Lifu also held that the plaintiff lacked legal standing to bring the case and ordered him to pay costs, including ₦20 million in favour of Jonathan and ₦1 million to the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The judgment effectively clears the way for Jonathan’s participation in the 2027 presidential race, pending any further legal challenges.