Lawyer Files Suit to Stop Jonathan from Contesting 2027 Presidential Election

A constitutional lawyer, Mr. Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order to bar former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from contesting in the 2027 presidential election.

In the suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, Jideobi urged the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate in the forthcoming election.

The legal action also seeks a perpetual injunction preventing Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for nomination as a presidential candidate — whether in 2027 or in future elections.

Jonathan, INEC, and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) are listed as the first, second, and third defendants, respectively.

Citing Sections 1(1–3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the plaintiff asked the court to determine whether Jonathan remains constitutionally eligible to contest for the presidency, given that he has already served as Nigeria’s president in the past.

According to Jideobi, permitting Jonathan to run again would violate the constitutional limit of two presidential terms totaling eight years, regardless of the circumstances under which he previously assumed office.

The suit also prays for the court to direct the Attorney General to ensure strict compliance with any order issued in the matter.

An affidavit filed in support of the case by one Emmanuel Agida described Jideobi as a defender of constitutional order, stressing that the action was initiated in the public interest to preserve the sanctity of Nigeria’s constitutional framework.

The case is expected to be assigned to a judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja and scheduled for hearing in the coming weeks.