A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has thrown out a lawsuit seeking to bar former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election, describing the case as baseless and an abuse of court process.
Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered judgment on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, also imposed a ₦20 million cost against the plaintiff, lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, in favour of Jonathan.
The court further ordered Jideobi to pay an additional ₦1 million to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
In his ruling, Justice Lifu held that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to institute the suit because he failed to show how Jonathan’s possible participation in the 2027 election directly affected him.
The judge noted that both a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had previously affirmed Jonathan’s eligibility to contest, stressing that the appellate court’s decision remained binding.
Justice Lifu also dismissed an application filed by Jideobi seeking the judge’s withdrawal from the matter, describing the request as frivolous.
The suit had listed former President Jonathan, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Attorney-General of the Federation as first to third defendants respectively.
Jonathan, who became Nigeria’s president in 2010 following the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, later won the 2011 presidential election before losing to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015.
Since leaving office, the Bayelsa-born politician has repeatedly faced calls from supporters urging him to return to active politics and contest the 2027 presidential election.
Recently, while addressing members of the Coalition for Goodluck Jonathan during a visit to Abuja, the former President said he was still consulting widely before making any decision about the race.
“Yes, you are asking me to come and contest the next elections,” Jonathan told the group.
“The presidential race is not a computer game, but I’ve heard you, and I’ll consult widely.”
