Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed a suit filed by a lawyer, Mr. Johnmary Jideobi, seeking to prevent former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

Delivering judgment, Justice Lifu also awarded N20 million damages against Jideobi in favour of Jonathan.

However, the verdict alone will not determine whether or not the former president will be on the ballot in the 2027 Presidential election.

Responding to recent appeals by youths under the Coalition for Goodluck Jonathan, the former president said he would consult widely before making a decision.

“Yes, you are asking me to come and contest the next elections,” Jonathan told the group during a visit to him in Abuja.

“The presidential race is not a computer game, but I’ve heard you, and I’ll consult widely.”

The court further awarded N1 million damages against the plaintiff in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

Justice Lifu held that Jideobi lacked the legal standing to institute the suit, having failed to demonstrate that he suffered any injury or loss arising from Jonathan’s perceived intention to contest the 2027 election.

The judge noted that both the Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had previously ruled that Jonathan was eligible to contest for the presidency, adding that he was bound by the appellate court’s decision.

He subsequently described the suit as “an abuse of court process”.

Justice Lifu also dismissed Jideobi’s application seeking the judge’s withdrawal from the case, describing the motion as frivolous.

Jideobi had instituted the suit against Jonathan, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the AGF as the first, second, and third defendants, respectively.

Jonathan became President in 2010 following the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, under whom he served as vice president.

The Bayelsa-born politician subsequently contested and won the 2011 presidential election. However, in 2015, he was defeated by Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking the first time an incumbent president lost a presidential election since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

Since leaving office, there have been repeated calls for Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election, despite his withdrawal from active partisan politics.