Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has effectively paved the way for former President Goodluck Jonathan to participate in the 2027 presidential election, ruling against a suit that challenged his eligibility. The decision comes after the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had granted Jonathan a waiver to contest the 2027 poll on the party's presidential ticket.

The legal challenge was initiated by plaintiff Johnmary Jideobi, who had sought an order from the court to restrain Jonathan from presenting himself as a candidate to any political party for the 2027 presidential election. Jideobi had also requested the court to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting, processing, or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate. The core of his argument hinged on Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, questioning whether Jonathan, having been sworn in twice as President in 2010 and 2011, remained eligible to seek the office again.

However, in his ruling delivered on Tuesday, Justice Lifu firmly stated that Jonathan is eligible to contest the election. The judge also imposed significant fines against the plaintiff: a N20 million fine in favor of the former President and a N1 million fine in favor of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

Justice Lifu clarified his decision by stating that Jideobi lacked the legal standing (locus standi) to institute the suit, as he had not suffered any personal loss from Jonathan's perceived intention to vie for office in the upcoming polls. Furthermore, the judge emphasized that both a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and an Appeal Court had previously affirmed Jonathan's eligibility to run, and he was bound by the decision of the appellate court. Consequently, Justice Lifu characterized the lawyer’s suit as “an abuse of court process.” The court also dismissed a motion by Jideobi seeking the judge’s withdrawal from the case, deeming it frivolous.