Court Asked to Bar Jonathan from 2027 Presidential Race
The Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to issue a perpetual injunction restraining former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting in the 2027 presidential election.
A legal practitioner, Mr. Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, filed the suit asking the court to stop Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for nomination as a presidential candidate. The suit also seeks to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing his name as a candidate for the 2027 election.
In the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, Jonathan is listed as the 1st defendant, INEC as the 2nd defendant, and the Attorney General of the Federation as the 3rd defendant.
The suit presents a single legal question for determination:
“Whether, in view of the combined provisions of Sections 1(1), (2) & (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the 1st Defendant is eligible, under any circumstances, to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Based on this, the plaintiff is seeking four key reliefs from the court:
A declaration that Jonathan is constitutionally ineligible to contest for or occupy the office of President, based on the provisions of Sections 1 and 137(3) of the Constitution.
A declaration that INEC lacks the constitutional power to receive or publish Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate for the 2027 election or any future elections.
An order of perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for presidential nomination in 2027 or beyond.
An order of perpetual injunction restraining INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.
Additionally, the plaintiff is asking the court to order the Attorney General of the Federation to ensure compliance with any judgment delivered in the case.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, deposed to by Emmanuel Agida, the plaintiff described himself as an advocate of constitutionalism and the rule of law. He stated that Jonathan first assumed the presidency on May 6, 2010, following the death of then-President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on May 5, 2010, having previously served as Vice President.
The plaintiff cited recent media reports indicating Jonathan’s possible intention to run in 2027, arguing that this would violate the constitutional two-term limit. He noted that Jonathan completed Yar’Adua’s unexpired term before serving a full four-year term after winning the 2011 election.
The plaintiff contends that allowing Jonathan to contest again would result in him taking the presidential oath for a third time and exceeding the constitutionally allowed maximum of eight years in office.
He further argued that, as a citizen and lawyer, he has a duty to prevent constitutional violations. Citing Section 137(3) of the Constitution, he emphasized that anyone who completes another president’s term can only be elected for one additional term.
The affidavit stated:
“If the court does not intervene, a political party may nominate the 1st defendant for the 2027 election. If he wins, this would mark the third time he would take the oath of office as President, exceeding the constitutional limit and undermining the supremacy of the Constitution.”
The plaintiff maintained that the suit was filed in the public interest to defend the rule of law and uphold constitutional supremacy.
No date has been set for the hearing of the case.
