A lawyer, Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, has filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting in the 2027 presidential election.
In the case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, the plaintiff asked the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for nomination and participation in the 2027 polls.
The suit also seeks to bar the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate, and to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to ensure compliance with any order granted by the court.
According to the originating summons, Jideobi asked the court to determine whether Jonathan, having served as President from May 6, 2010, following the death of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and again from 2011 to 2015 after being elected in his own right, can constitutionally seek election for another term.
He argued that Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) forbids any person who has been sworn in as President twice from contesting again, stressing that Jonathan has already taken the oath of office two times.
In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, one Emmanuel Agida stated that Jonathan’s rumored ambition to return to power in 2027 violates the constitutional limit of two presidential terms.
The deponent said the plaintiff, being a constitutional lawyer and advocate of the rule of law, was motivated to act “in the public interest to prevent a potential breach of the Constitution.”
He noted that if Jonathan contests and wins in 2027, “it would amount to him taking the presidential oath for the third time,” which the Constitution does not allow.
The plaintiff urged the court to intervene urgently to prevent any political party from fielding the former president as a candidate in the 2027 general election.
No date has yet been fixed for hearing of the suit.
