The Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to issue an order permanently barring former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from contesting in the 2027 presidential election or any subsequent polls.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, the plaintiff, Mr. Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, a legal practitioner, urged the court to restrain Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for nomination as a presidential candidate. He also prayed that the court prohibit the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a duly nominated candidate for any future presidential contest.
Listed as defendants in the suit are Jonathan (1st defendant), INEC (2nd defendant), and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) (3rd defendant).
The plaintiff asked the court to determine whether, considering the combined provisions of Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the former president is constitutionally eligible to seek re-election under any circumstance.
He is seeking several reliefs, including a declaration that Jonathan is constitutionally ineligible to contest for or occupy the office of President again, and a perpetual injunction restraining INEC from accepting or publishing his name for any presidential election. The suit also seeks an order directing the Attorney General to ensure full compliance with any decision the court may issue.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, Emmanuel Agida, deposed that the plaintiff, a strong advocate of constitutionalism and rule of law, filed the case in the interest of the public. He argued that Jonathan had already served out the remaining tenure of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua after his death in May 2010, and subsequently completed a full four-year term following his victory in the 2011 presidential election.
The affidavit emphasized that the Constitution limits any individual to a maximum of two presidential tenures, and allowing Jonathan to contest again would amount to breaching this constitutional limit.
The plaintiff noted that reports in national newspapers and television stations have recently suggested Jonathan’s intention to contest in 2027, warning that failure of the court to act promptly could lead to a violation of the constitutional provision on tenure limitation.
He further maintained that as a lawyer and citizen, he has a duty to protect the Constitution and prevent any form of unconstitutional governance. According to him, if Jonathan were to win and be sworn in again, it would mark the third time he would take the oath of office as President, which would contradict the spirit and letter of the Nigerian Constitution.
The suit, filed in the public interest, seeks to uphold democratic principles, reinforce the supremacy of the Constitution, and prevent what the plaintiff described as a potential constitutional crisis.
As of press time, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the matter.
