Court to Decide Goodluck Jonathan’s Eligibility for 2027 Presidential Race

Court to Decide Goodluck Jonathan’s Eligibility for 2027 Presidential Race

The Federal High Court in Abuja is set to hear a suit challenging the eligibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election, a development that could shape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the next general polls.

The case, filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, was instituted by Abuja-based lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who is asking the court to declare that Jonathan is constitutionally barred from seeking the office of president again.

Justice Peter Lifu fixed Friday, May 8, for hearing in the matter after ordering that hearing notices be served on all parties involved following the failure of the defendants to file responses within the required timeframe.

Jonathan was listed as the first defendant in the suit, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation were joined as second and third defendants respectively.

The plaintiff is seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the former president from presenting himself to any political party for nomination ahead of the 2027 election.

He also asked the court to stop INEC from accepting, processing or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate for the presidential poll.

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According to the originating summons, the plaintiff wants the court to determine whether, under the provisions of Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan remains eligible “under any circumstances whatsoever” to contest for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The suit is anchored on the interpretation of constitutional provisions relating to presidential tenure limits.

Jideobi argued that Jonathan had already exhausted the constitutionally allowed two terms after completing the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and subsequently serving another full term following his victory in the 2011 presidential election.

An affidavit filed in support of the suit by Emmanuel Agida stated that Jonathan first took the presidential oath of office on May 6, 2010, following the death of Yar’Adua a day earlier.

The affidavit noted that recent speculation suggesting Jonathan could return to active politics and possibly contest the 2027 presidency prompted the legal action.

“That the plaintiff believes that the 1st defendant, having completed the unexpired term of late President Yar’Adua and subsequently served a full term after the 2011 election, has exhausted the constitutional limit of two tenures as president,” part of the affidavit read.

The plaintiff further contended that if Jonathan contests and wins the 2027 election, he would effectively be taking the presidential oath of office for the third time, which he argued would violate constitutional provisions governing tenure limits.

Agida stated that the suit was instituted “in the public interest, in defence of the rule of law and accentuation of the supremacy of the Constitution, and to preserve the integrity of the Nigerian constitutional order.”

The legal battle comes amid growing political speculation over Jonathan’s possible return to the presidential race. Although the former president has not officially declared interest, several political groups and supporters have continued to urge him to contest in 2027.

The case has also sparked debate among constitutional lawyers and political analysts. While some legal experts believe Jonathan may be barred from contesting again, others insist previous court interpretations suggest he was only elected once as president and may therefore remain eligible under the law.

Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015 after succeeding Yar’Adua and later winning the 2011 presidential election before losing his re-election bid to former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

The outcome of the suit is expected to have significant implications for the interpretation of Nigeria’s constitutional provisions on presidential tenure and eligibility ahead of the 2027 general election.

Court to Decide Goodluck Jonathan’s Eligibility for 2027 Presidential Race