By Desire Emmanuel
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, May 26, declared that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The court affirmed Jonathan’s right to seek re-election, clearing a major legal hurdle for the former president who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015.
The decision comes amid growing speculation about Jonathan’s potential return to active politics ahead of the next general elections.
One Johnmary Jideobi had instituted a suit seeking an order restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as a candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
He had asked the court to stop INEC from accepting, processing or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.
He also asked the court to determine whether, having regard to Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan remains eligible to seek the office of president again.
But in his ruling on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu held that Jonathan could participate in the election as a contestant.
He awarded a N20 million fine against Jideobi and in favour of the ex-president.
He equally awarded a one million naira fine against the plaintiff and in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
Justice Lifu held that Jideobi lacked the legal right to have instituted the suit having not suffered any loss from his perceived Jonathan’s intention to vie for the next year’s poll.
