Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election.

The ruling came after a suit filed by Johnmary Jideobi challenging Jonathan’s eligibility to seek the presidency again.

Last week, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki granted Jonathan a waiver to contest the 2027 presidential election on the party’s platform.

In the suit, Jideobi sought an order restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as a candidate for the election.

The plaintiff also asked the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission from accepting, processing or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.

He urged the court to determine whether Jonathan remained eligible to contest for president again, having been sworn in twice as President in 2010 and 2011, in line with Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution.

However, delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Lifu held that Jonathan could validly participate in the 2027 presidential election.

The judge also imposed a N20 million fine against the plaintiff in favour of the former president.

In addition, the court awarded a N1 million fine against Jideobi in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Justice Lifu ruled that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to institute the suit, stating that he failed to show how he suffered any injury or loss from Jonathan’s alleged intention to contest the election.

The judge further noted that both a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had earlier ruled that Jonathan remained eligible to seek the office again.

According to him, he was bound by the decision of the appellate court.

Justice Lifu subsequently described the suit as “an abuse of court process” and dismissed the plaintiff’s motion seeking his withdrawal from the matter, describing it as frivolous.