2027: Ex-President Jonathan dragged to court over 2027 Election Ambition

A Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to permanently bar former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting in the 2027 presidential election.

In a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, a lawyer, Mr. Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, is seeking an order of perpetual injunction to stop Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for nomination, and to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing his name as a candidate.

The suit lists Jonathan as the 1st defendant, while INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation are named as 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively.

At the heart of the legal challenge is the interpretation of Sections 1(1)-(3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which the plaintiff argues renders Jonathan ineligible to contest again, having already served as President for more than one term.

According to the affidavit filed by Emmanuel Agida, the plaintiff argues that Jonathan was first sworn in as President in May 2010, after the death of then-President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and subsequently elected to a full term in 2011.

He contends that if Jonathan is allowed to run and wins in 2027, he would be taking the presidential oath for the third time, violating the constitutional limit of two terms in office.

The plaintiff is seeking the following key reliefs:

1. A declaration that Jonathan is constitutionally ineligible to contest for president again.

2. An order barring INEC from receiving or publishing his name as a presidential candidate.

3. A perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from seeking presidential nomination.

4. A directive to the Attorney General to enforce the court’s decision.

The suit was filed in the public interest, with the plaintiff stating his role as a lawyer committed to defending constitutionalism and the rule of law. He also cited media reports suggesting Jonathan may consider a 2027 run as the reason for filing the case proactively.

No date has yet been set for the hearing.