Jonathan Asks Court to Dismiss Suit Seeking to Bar Him From 2027 Presidential Race

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit seeking to stop him from contesting the 2027 presidential election, arguing that the case is speculative and lacks legal merit.

Jonathan’s legal team reportedly told the court that the former president had not declared any intention to contest the 2027 election and had not been nominated by any political party.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, was filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who is seeking a declaration that Jonathan is constitutionally barred from seeking the presidency again after completing the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and subsequently serving a full elected term from 2011 to 2015.

The plaintiff also asked the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate in the 2027 election.

However, Jonathan’s lawyers reportedly maintained that the suit was based on assumptions and hypothetical political developments that had not yet occurred. They argued that courts are not expected to determine speculative matters where no actual nomination process has taken place.

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Justice Peter Lifu had earlier fixed May 8 for hearing after ordering parties in the case to file and exchange relevant court processes.

The legal dispute has generated intense political and constitutional debate over whether Jonathan, who became president in 2010 following Yar’Adua’s death, remains eligible to contest another presidential election under Section 137 of the 1999 Constitution.

Supporters of the former president argue that the constitutional amendment on presidential tenure introduced after Jonathan left office should not apply retroactively to him, while critics insist that another presidential bid would amount to a third oath of office as president.

Although Jonathan has not officially declared his candidacy, recent remarks indicating he would “consult widely” over calls for him to return to power have intensified speculation about his possible participation in the 2027 race.

Political observers believe the outcome of the case could have major implications for constitutional interpretation, presidential tenure limits, and political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.