A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has thrown out a case seeking to disqualify former President Goodluck Jonathan from participating in the 2027 presidential election, effectively removing any immediate legal barrier to his potential comeback bid.
The suit, filed by Johnmary Jideobi, challenged Jonathan’s eligibility on constitutional grounds, arguing that he had already exceeded the maximum two-term limit allowed under the 1999 Constitution. The plaintiff claimed that Jonathan’s assumption of office in 2010, following the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and his subsequent elected term from 2011 to 2015 amounted to more than two presidential tenures.
However, delivering judgment, Justice Peter Lifu dismissed the case in its entirety, describing it as lacking merit and constituting an abuse of court process. The judge also ruled that the plaintiff had no legal standing to bring the matter before the court, noting that he failed to demonstrate any direct or personal interest affected by Jonathan’s potential candidacy.
The court further emphasized that similar cases had already been decided in previous judgments, including Andy Solomon v. Jonathan at the Federal High Court and Cyracus Njoku v. Jonathan at the Court of Appeal. Justice Lifu stated that those rulings already addressed the core issue, leaving “nothing new to determine” in the present case.
As a result of what the court described as a frivolous action, a total cost of ₦21 million was imposed on the plaintiff. This includes ₦20 million awarded in favour of Jonathan and ₦1 million in favour of the Attorney General of the Federation.
The judge also expressed displeasure that the case was still pursued despite earlier court decisions on the same constitutional question, describing the continued litigation as a waste of judicial time and resources.
The lawsuit, filed in October 2025, had sought to permanently bar Jonathan from contesting any future presidential elections and to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to accept or publish his name as a candidate. It also requested that the Attorney General of the Federation be empowered to enforce such an order if granted.
During the hearing, the plaintiff’s legal team maintained that Jonathan had already served more than the constitutional limit and should therefore be disqualified from any further presidential ambition.
With the latest ruling, the court has effectively reinforced earlier decisions on the matter, leaving Jonathan free to decide his political future ahead of the 2027 general elections.
- NAN