Court urged to disqualify Jonathan from contesting 2027 election

A lawyer, Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, has filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, the plaintiff is asking the court to issue a perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for nomination as a presidential candidate.

He is also urging the court to bar the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate in the 2027 election.

The former president is listed as the first defendant, while INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation are cited as the second and third defendants respectively.

Jideobi, through his affidavit, argued that Jonathan, having first assumed office in 2010 following the death of then-President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and later serving a full term after winning the 2011 election, has already exceeded the constitutionally permitted two terms.

He contended that allowing Jonathan to contest again would breach Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which stipulates that anyone who completes another president’s tenure can only be elected once more.

The plaintiff urged the court to declare Jonathan ineligible to seek re-election, and to order INEC and the Attorney-General to ensure compliance with any ruling of the court.

He further claimed that reports suggesting Jonathan’s intention to contest in 2027 prompted the legal action, saying the move was aimed at protecting the constitution and upholding the rule of law.

No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.