A constitutional 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.
The suit, filed under number FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, also asked the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate for the presidency under any political party. The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) is joined as the third defendant.
Jideobi is asking the court to determine whether, under Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the former president remains eligible to seek election into the country’s highest office.
According to the originating summons, the plaintiff is seeking four key reliefs, including a declaration that Jonathan is “constitutionally ineligible to stand for or occupy the office of President” and an order of perpetual injunction barring him from presenting himself to any political party for nomination in 2027 or subsequent elections.
The suit also seeks an order restraining INEC from receiving or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate and another directing the Attorney General to ensure compliance with any judgment delivered by the court.
In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, deponent Emmanuel Agida said the case was instituted “in defence of constitutionalism and the rule of law,” adding that allowing Jonathan to contest again would breach the constitution’s two-term presidential limit.
The affidavit stated that Jonathan was first sworn in as President on May 6, 2010, to complete the term of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who died in office, before serving a full term following his victory in the 2011 election.
“The plaintiff believes that having completed Yar’Adua’s tenure and served a full term, the first defendant has reached the constitutional limit of two terms,” the court document read. “If the court does not intervene, a political party may unlawfully nominate him for the 2027 presidential race.”
The plaintiff further argued that permitting Jonathan to contest again would mean he could potentially serve more than the maximum eight years stipulated by the constitution.
The case has not yet been assigned a date for hearing.
