A fresh legal battle has emerged over former President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
A lawyer, Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, has filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to bar Jonathan from running for president again.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, requests the court to issue a perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as a presidential candidate.
It also seeks to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing his name as a valid nominee for the 2027 election.
In the case, Jonathan is listed as the first defendant, while INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation are cited as the second and third defendants.
Jideobi’s motion centers on the 1999 Constitution (as amended) particularly Sections 1(1)-(3) and 137(3) arguing that Jonathan has already served the constitutional limit of eight years as president.
The plaintiff asked the court to declare that Jonathan is “ineligible to stand for or occupy the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
He also urged the court to rule that INEC lacks the legal power to accept or publish Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate in 2027 or beyond.
In a supporting affidavit, Emmanuel Agida, who deposed on behalf of the plaintiff, described himself as an advocate for constitutionalism and rule of law.
He stated that allowing Jonathan to contest again would violate the Constitution’s spirit of term limits.
Agida further argued that if Jonathan wins in 2027, his four-year tenure ending in 2031 would exceed the eight-year constitutional maximum permitted for any president.
The suit also seeks an order directing the Attorney General to ensure compliance with whatever judgment the court delivers on the matter.
The case adds another layer of political tension ahead of the 2027 elections, as debates continue over Jonathan’s rumored return to the political scene
