Court asked to stop Jonathan from contesting 2027 Presidential election

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has been asked to issue a perpetual injunction restraining former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

The request was made on Monday in a suit filed by a lawyer, Mr. Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, who urged the court to prevent Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for the purpose of participating in the 2027 presidential race. The plaintiff also asked the court to bar the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a duly nominated presidential candidate.

Jonathan was named as the first defendant in the suit, while INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation were listed as the second and third defendants respectively.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, posed a single legal question for the court to determine: whether, in view of the combined provisions of Sections 1(1), (2) and (3), and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the first defendant is eligible, under any circumstances, to contest for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Following this, the plaintiff asked the court to declare that based on a proper interpretation of the relevant constitutional provisions, Jonathan is ineligible to contest or occupy the office of President. He further sought a declaration that INEC lacks the constitutional power to receive or publish Jonathan’s name as a candidate of any political party for the presidential election in 2027 or in any future election. The court was also asked to direct the Attorney General of the Federation to ensure compliance with any decisions and orders issued.

In an affidavit deposed by one Emmanuel Agida in support of the suit, the plaintiff identified himself as an advocate of constitutionalism and the rule of law. He argued that if Jonathan is allowed to contest and eventually wins the 2027 election which would run through to 2031, he would have exceeded the constitutionally permitted maximum of eight years in office as President of Nigeria.

Jonathan had previously served as President between 2010 and 2015, initially completing the tenure of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and later securing a full term after winning the 2011 presidential election.

The matter is currently before the court and is expected to raise significant constitutional questions regarding term limits and presidential eligibility under the 1999 Constitution.