Ogona Anita
A fresh legal battle has emerged over the political future of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, as a lawyer has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to bar him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
News Week reports that in the new suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, the plaintiff, Mr. Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, is asking the court to issue an order of perpetual injunction restraining Dr. Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for the purpose of contesting the 2027 poll.
The applicant also prayed the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate for any political party in the forthcoming election.
Defendants Named in the Suit
The former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, was listed as the 1st Defendant in the suit, while the INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) were joined as the 2nd and 3rd Defendants, respectively. Core Question Before the Court The suit raises a fundamental constitutional question for determination: “Whether, in view of the combined provisions of Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the 1st Defendant is eligible under any circumstances whatsoever to contest for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
” Reliefs Sought
The plaintiff is seeking four principal reliefs from the court, including: A declaration that is based on Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the Constitution, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is ineligible to stand for or occupy the office of President of Nigeria. A declaration that INEC lacks the constitutional power to accept or publish Jonathan’s name as a candidate of any political party for the 2027 presidential election or subsequent elections.
An order of perpetual injunction restraining Dr. Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party in Nigeria for nomination as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election or any future election.
An order of perpetual injunction restraining INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate in the 2027 election or any election thereafter.
Additionally, the suit seeks an order directing the Attorney-General of the Federation to ensure full compliance with any decision or order the court may issue.
Plaintiff’s Argument In an affidavit filed in support of the originating summons and deposed to by Emmanuel Agida, the plaintiff described himself as “an advocate of constitutionalism and the rule of law.”
He argued that if former President Jonathan were allowed to contest and eventually win the 2027 presidential election, his tenure — spanning 2027 to 2031 — would cause him to exceed the constitutionally allowed maximum of eight years in office as provided by law.
The plaintiff noted that Jonathan had already served a full term between 2011 and 2015 after initially completing the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua from 2010 to 2011, thereby exhausting the constitutional limit.
Broader Constitutional Implications
The case is expected to reignite national debate over Section 137(3) of the Nigerian Constitution, which was inserted after Jonathan’s 2015 exit and provides that any person who has been sworn in to complete another’s presidential term can only be elected once more. Legal observers say the outcome of the case will clarify whether this constitutional amendment applies retroactively to Jonathan’s presidency.
As at press time, neither the Federal High Court nor the Attorney-General’s office had announced a date for the hearing of the case.
