26.5.2026
Former Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan has been declared legit and fit to run for office in the 2027 elections.
A Federal High Court siting in Abuja opened the door for Mr. Jonathan, saying in its ruling in suit brought by JohnMary Jideobi challenging Jonathan’s eligibility that the plaintiff lacked the legal right to file a suit against the former President.
Presiding judge Justice Peter Lifu ruled that Jonathan could participate in the 2027 election. He awarded a N20m cost against Mr. Jideobi. The judge also awarded a N1 million fine against Mr. Jideobi, payable to the attorney general of the federation.
He further revealed that a Federal High Court, Yenagoa Division, and a ruling of the appellate court had already held that Mr Jonathan was eligible to run for office, adding that he was bound by the appellate court’s decision.
The judge further described Mr Jideobi’s suit as “an abuse of court process”, while dismissing his motion seeking withdrawal from the case for being frivolous.
Jideobi, had challenged Mr Jonathan’s eligibility to run for president. In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, Mr Jideobi asked the court to declare Mr Jonathan constitutionally ineligible to seek the country’s apex position, having being sworn-in as president twice in 2010 and 2011.
Meanwhile, the Taminu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party last week offered a waiver to Mr Jonathan as the only presidential candidate of that faction. The screening committee of the PDP faction also waived the screening process for Mr Jonathan.