BREAKING: Court declares Jonathan eligible to contest 2027 presidential election

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declared that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 general elections.

Justice Peter Lifu made the declaration while delivering judgment in a suit seeking to bar Jonathan from participating in future presidential elections on the grounds that he had taken the oath of office twice as President.

The judge, however, dismissed the suit, describing it as an abuse of court process and a waste of judicial time.

According to Justice Lifu, the issue of Jonathan’s eligibility had already been settled by previous decisions of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, making the fresh suit unnecessary.

“I am bound by the above decision of the Court of Appeal and this court; I have no more to add,” the judge held.

The court ruled that there was no legal basis to prevent Jonathan from contesting future presidential elections and affirmed his constitutional eligibility to seek office if he chooses to do so.

Justice Lifu also imposed costs against the plaintiff, awarding N20 million in favour of Jonathan and N1 million in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The judgment effectively removes any legal obstacle arising from the suit and clears the former president to participate in the 2027 presidential race should he decide to run.