The Federal High Court in Abuja was on Monday asked to bar former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election in a fresh suit that questions his eligibility.
The suit, filed by lawyer Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, names Mr. Jonathan as first defendant, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as second defendant and the Attorney‑General of the Federation as third defendant.
In a singular question posed to the court, the plaintiff asks whether, “in view of the combined provisions of the entirety of Sections 1(1), (2) & (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and their conflated interpretation, the 1st Defendant is eligible, under any circumstances [whatsoever] to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?”
Based on that question, the plaintiff seeks four principal reliefs, including:
A declaration that, on a combined reading of the cited constitutional provisions, Jonathan is ineligible to stand for or occupy the office of President;
A declaration that INEC lacks the constitutional power to accept or publish Jonathan’s name as a candidate for the 2027 presidential election (and subsequent elections);
A perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party in Nigeria for nomination as a presidential candidate for 2027 and future elections; and
A perpetual injunction restraining INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate for 2027 and beyond.
The suit also asks the court to direct the Attorney‑General of the Federation to ensure compliance with any orders or decisions of the court.
In an affidavit deposed in support of the suit by one Emmanuel Agida, the plaintiff described himself as an advocate of constitutionalism and the rule of law, and argued that if Jonathan were to win the 2027 election for a four‑year term (2027–2031), he would exceed the eight‑year cumulative limit that a Nigerian President is statutorily permitted to serve.
The matter is before the Federal High Court, Abuja; no hearing date or responses from the defendants had been reported as of press time. Representatives for Mr. Jonathan, INEC and the Attorney‑General were yet to comment.
