A Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit seeking to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Peter Lifu not only threw out the case but also fined the lawyer who filed it millions of naira.
The court awarded N20 million against the plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi, in favour of Jonathan.
Additionally, the judge ordered the lawyer to pay an additional N1 million to the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The development has reignited public interest in the growing debate surrounding Goodluck Jonathan’s 2027 election speculation.
Meanwhile, delivering judgment at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice Lifu held that the plaintiff lacked the legal right to file the suit.
According to the judge, the lawyer failed to show any personal loss connected to Jonathan’s possible ambition.
Justice Lifu further noted that previous court rulings had already settled the matter regarding Jonathan’s eligibility.
The judge explained that both the Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had earlier ruled on the issue.
Therefore, he said the court remained bound by the appellate court’s earlier decision.
Justice Lifu also described the suit as “an abuse of court process.”
Furthermore, the judge dismissed another application seeking his withdrawal from the case.
He described that request as frivolous and lacking merit.
Jideobi had dragged Jonathan, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and the Attorney-General of the Federation to court.
Jonathan was listed as the first defendant in the suit.
The former president became Nigeria’s leader in 2010 after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
He later contested and won the 2011 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party.
However, he lost his re-election bid to Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
That defeat marked the first time an incumbent president lost an election since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
Despite staying away from active partisan politics, calls for Jonathan to contest again have continued to grow.
Meanwhile, Jonathan has not officially declared his intention to run for office.
However, he recently responded to supporters urging him to join the race.
“Yes, you are asking me to come and contest the next elections,” the former president told the group when members visited him in Abuja.
“The presidential race is not a computer game, but I’ve heard you, and I’ll consult widely.”
Attention is now expected to shift toward Jonathan’s next political move as the 2027 election discussions intensify.
