Court Declares Jonathan Eligible To Contest.The Federal High Court on Tuesday declared that the former president can re- contest in the upcoming 2027 Presidential Election.
KaNo —
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday declared former President Goodluck Jonathan eligible to participate in the 2027 presidential election.
The judgment was delivered in a suit filed by a lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, the presiding judge, Justice Peter Lifu, held that Jonathan could contest.
Jideobi had approached the court seeking an order restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as a candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
He also sought to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission from accepting, processing, or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.
Court Declares Jonathan Eligible To Contest
He asked the court to determine whether, having regard to Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan remained eligible to seek the office of president again.
Jideobi, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, insisted that Jonathan was no longer eligible to run for the office of president, having already been sworn in as president on two occasions.
In an affidavit of facts deposed in support of the suit by one Emmanuel Agida, the plaintiff argued that if ex-President Jonathan wins the 2027 presidential election, which is for a term of four years spanning 2027 to 2031, he would have exceeded eight years, being the cumulative maximum years a Nigerian president is statutorily permitted to stay in office.
“The plaintiff believes that the 1st defendant, having completed the unexpired term of late President Yar’Adua and subsequently served a full term after the 2011 election” he said
Court Declares Jonathan Eligible To Contest
” In the event the 1st defendant is returned as elected and sworn in as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2027, it will mark the third time the 1st defendant will be taking the oath of office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.
He also prayed the court for an order directing the third defendant (Attorney-General of the Federation) to ensure compliance with the decisions and orders of the court exhausted the constitutional limit of two tenures as president.
“That if the court does not intervene timeously, a political party may present the 1st defendant as its presidential candidate in the 2027 general election, thereby breaching the Constitution” he stated
“In the event the 1st defendant is returned as elected and sworn in as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2027, it will mark the third time the 1st defendant will be taking the oath of office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.
Court Declares Jonathan Eligible To Contest
However, in his judgment, Justice Lifu awarded a N20 million fine against Jideobi in favour of Jonathan.
The court additionally awarded a N1 million fine against the plaintiff in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Justice Lifu held that Jideobi lacked the legal right to institute the suit, having not suffered any loss from Jonathan’s perceived intention to vie for the 2027 election.
The judge, who said that a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and a Court of Appeal had already held that Jonathan was eligible to run, said he was bound by the decision of the appellate court.
Court Declares Jonathan Eligible To Contest
He also described Jideobi’s suit as “an abuse of court process.”
Justice Lifu also dismissed Jideobi’s motion seeking the judge’s withdrawal from the case, describing it as frivolous.
Meanwhile, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, last week offered a waiver to Jonathan as the party’s sole presidential candidate.
Jonathan Challenge Suit Preventing Him From Contesting 2027 Presidential Election
The former President had earlier challenged the suit filed before a Federal High Court in Abuja by a lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, seeking to restrain him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Jonathan, through his lawyer, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, told the trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, shortly after the matter was called for hearing, that a letter of conditional appearance, a notice of preliminary objection, a counter-affidavit, and a written address had been filed on May 5, praying the court to dismiss the case.
He said they got information about the case through the media, hence the need to file their processes urgently, considering the importance of the matter, which centres on the eligibility of the former president to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Uche said it was unfortunate that such a suit was filed by a lawyer who should know that the same matter had already been decided by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.
Court Declares Jonathan Eligible To Contest
Earlier, counsel to the plaintiff, Ndubuisi Ukpai, informed the court that the matter was for mention, but that he had just been served with Jonathan’s processes and would need time to study them to enable him respond appropriately.
Justice Lifu adjourned the matter till Monday, May 11, by 2 p.m. for hearing of the former president’s objection and the substantive suit.
The judge also ordered that hearing notices be issued and served on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), who are the 2nd and 3rd defendants in the matter and were not in court.
The plaintiff had filed the case seeking an order restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as a candidate for the 2027 election.
Court Declares Jonathan Eligible To Contest
Jonathan had earlier said he was consulting on whether or not he should join the 2027 presidential race.
Azibaola Robert, a cousin of former President Goodluck Jonathan, has declared that Jonathan is constitutionally and legally qualified to contest the 2027 general elections.
His statement came amid rising calls from stakeholders who believe Jonathan remains the only opposition figure capable of mounting a strong challenge.
Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from May 2010 to May 2015, first assumed office in an acting capacity following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Court Declares Jonathan Eligible To Contest
However, his potential return has sparked debate. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, SAN, has urged the PDP not to field Jonathan, while human rights lawyer Professor Chidi Anselm Odinkalu insists he is constitutionally barred from running again.
