A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja is scheduled to hear a suit seeking to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, was filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who is asking the court to declare Jonathan constitutionally ineligible to seek the presidency again.
Justice Peter Lifu fixed Friday, May 8, for the hearing after ordering that hearing notices be served on the defendants, who are yet to file their responses in the matter.
Former President Jonathan is listed as the first defendant in the suit, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation are named as second and third defendants respectively.
The plaintiff is seeking an order restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as a candidate for the 2027 presidential election. He also prayed the court to stop INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.
Also Read: Goodluck Jonathan Hints at Possible 2027 Presidential Comeback
According to court documents, the case centres on the interpretation of Sections 1(1), 1(2), 1(3), and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. The plaintiff argued that Jonathan had already exhausted the constitutional limit of two terms after completing the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010 and subsequently winning the 2011 presidential election.
The suit further contended that if Jonathan contests and wins the 2027 election, he would effectively be taking the presidential oath of office for a third time, which the plaintiff described as unconstitutional.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, the plaintiff maintained that the legal action was filed in the public interest to uphold constitutional supremacy and prevent a possible constitutional crisis ahead of the 2027 elections.
Although Jonathan has not formally declared his intention to contest the presidency in 2027, recent political consultations and growing calls from supporters urging him to return to power have intensified national debate over his eligibility.
The outcome of the case is expected to shape political discussions and legal interpretations surrounding presidential tenure limits as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum.
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