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By correspondent in Abuja.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan.
(C) Google.
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed May 8, 2026, to hear a suit seeking to disqualify former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
The case, which came up for mention on Tuesday, was adjourned for hearing by Justice Peter Life, who also directed that hearing notices be issued and served on all defendants yet to file their counter affidavits.
The suit was instituted by a legal practitioner, Johnmary Jideobi, who is asking the court to restrain the former president from participating in the 2027 poll on constitutional grounds.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, the plaintiff listed Jonathan as the first defendant, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation were joined as second and third defendants, respectively.
Jideobi is urging the court to issue an order of perpetual injunction barring Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as a presidential candidate.
He is also seeking an order restraining INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a duly nominated candidate for the election.
At the heart of the suit is the interpretation of Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The plaintiff is asking the court to determine whether Jonathan is eligible, under any circumstance, to contest again for the office of President.
He argued that INEC lacks the constitutional authority to accept Jonathan’s nomination for any future presidential election, including the 2027 poll, if the provisions of the constitution are strictly applied.
In an affidavit deposed to by Emmanuel Agida in support of the suit, the plaintiff maintained that the action was filed in the public interest to uphold constitutional supremacy and prevent any potential breach of the law.
Agida recalled that Jonathan was first sworn in as President on May 6, 2010, following the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, whose tenure he completed after serving as Vice-President.
He further noted that Jonathan subsequently won the 2011 presidential election and was sworn in for a full term, which, according to the plaintiff, exhausts the constitutional limit permitted for any individual occupying the office.
The plaintiff contended that allowing Jonathan to contest in 2027 could result in him taking the oath of office for a third time if elected, thereby exceeding the maximum tenure allowed under the constitution.
He expressed concern that, unless the court intervenes, a political party may present Jonathan as its candidate, potentially leading to a constitutional crisis.
On his legal standing, the plaintiff argued that, as a lawyer, he has a duty to prevent violations of the constitution and ensure adherence to the rule of law.
He added that if Jonathan were allowed to contest and eventually win the election, it would amount to exceeding the cumulative maximum of eight years prescribed for a Nigerian president.
The plaintiff, therefore, urged the court to grant all the reliefs sought, insisting that the suit is necessary to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
The matter is expected to test key constitutional provisions on presidential tenure as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections begin to gather momentum.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
