Court to determine Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility in 2027

The Federal High Court in Abuja is scheduled to issue its judgment today, Friday, regarding a lawsuit that challenges former President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility to run in the 2027 presidential election.

The suit, filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, seeks to prohibit Jonathan from participating in the upcoming election on constitutional grounds.

During the previous hearing, Jonathan, represented by Chief Chris Uche, SAN, asked the court to dismiss the case, contending that the matter had already been decided by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.

Uche explained that the former president only learned of the lawsuit through media reports, which prompted him to file a notice of preliminary objection, a counter‑affidavit, and a written address challenging the case.

However, the proceedings stalled after the plaintiff and other parties, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), failed to appear in court on two consecutive occasions.

The court warned that it could award costs against the plaintiff for the repeated absences. Although Jonathan’s lawyer requested that the suit be struck out for lack of diligent prosecution, Justice Peter Lifu declined, stating that it was necessary to give the parties a final opportunity to be heard in the interest of a fair trial.

Consequently, the judge ordered that new hearing notices be served on the plaintiff, INEC, and the Attorney‑General of the Federation before postponing the matter for judgment.