A fresh legal action has been filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to bar former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
The suit, filed by lawyer Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, challenges Jonathan’s eligibility under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and seeks a perpetual injunction preventing him from presenting himself to any political party for nomination.
Marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, the case also seeks an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a duly nominated presidential candidate. The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) was listed as the third defendant, with the court urged to compel the AGF’s office to ensure compliance with any eventual ruling.
At the heart of the suit is a constitutional question:
“Whether, in view of Sections 1(1), (2), (3), and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the 1st Defendant, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, is eligible under any circumstance to contest for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The plaintiff is seeking several declarations and orders, including that:
- Jonathan is constitutionally ineligible to contest or occupy the office of President again.
- INEC lacks the power to accept or publish his name as a candidate in any future presidential election.
- A perpetual injunction should restrain Jonathan from seeking nomination or contesting the presidency in 2027 or beyond.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, one Emmanuel Agida argued that if Jonathan were to contest and win in 2027, he would exceed the maximum constitutional limit of eight years for any Nigerian president.
The case is still pending before the court, with proceedings ongoing.
