2027: Court affirms Jonathan’s eligibility to run for President

By Taiwo Scholarstica

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu dismissed a suit seeking to stop Jonathan from participating in the race and upheld a ₦20 million fine against the plaintiff’s lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, who filed the case.

The court also ordered the plaintiff to pay an additional ₦1 million to the Attorney-General of the Federation as costs.

Justice Lifu held that the lawyer lacked the legal standing to institute the suit because he failed to demonstrate how he had been personally affected or had suffered any injury arising from Jonathan’s alleged intention to seek the presidency in 2027.

According to the judge, the case did not disclose any valid cause of action that would warrant the court’s intervention. He stressed that only individuals whose rights have been directly affected by an issue can approach the court for redress.

The judgment effectively removes any legal obstacles from Jonathan’s path should he decide to join the 2027 presidential contest, while reinforcing the principle of locus standi in constitutional and electoral matters