2027: Lawyer Asks Court to Bar Jonathan from Contesting Again
A lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting in the 2027 presidential election or any subsequent polls.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, Jideobi is asking the court to issue a perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from “presenting himself to any political party in Nigeria for nomination” as a presidential candidate.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) are listed as the second and third defendants, respectively. The lawyer is also seeking an order barring INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate and directing the AGF to ensure full compliance with any order of the court.
Lawyer Argues Jonathan Has Exceeded Constitutional Limit
In an affidavit deposed by one Emmanuel Agida, the plaintiff — who describes himself as an “advocate of constitutionalism and the rule of law” — contends that Jonathan has already served the constitutionally allowed maximum of two presidential terms.
He recalled that Jonathan first assumed office on May 6, 2010, following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and was later elected in 2011, serving a full four-year term until 2015.
Citing Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Jideobi argued that if Jonathan were to contest and win the 2027 election, his total years in office would exceed the eight-year constitutional limit.
“I know that if the first defendant eventually wins the forthcoming 2027 general election as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria—which is for a term of four years spanning 2027 to 2031—he will have exceeded eight years being the cumulative maximum years a Nigerian President is to stay in office,” he stated.
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He urged the court to declare Jonathan ineligible to contest or occupy the presidency, insisting that INEC lacks the power to accept his nomination or publish his name as a presidential candidate.
No date has yet been fixed for the hearing.
Background: Similar Case Dismissed in 2022
This is not the first time the issue of Jonathan’s eligibility has gone before a court. In 2022, Justice Isa Dashen of the Federal High Court, Yenagoa, dismissed a similar suit, ruling that Jonathan remained eligible to contest.
The court held that Section 137(3) — which bars anyone who has completed another’s term from running twice — came into effect after Jonathan left office and therefore could not apply retroactively.
That ruling effectively cleared the former president to run, though he eventually chose not to join the 2023 presidential race.
Why Jonathan’s Name Keeps Resurfacing
Talks of Jonathan’s possible return have intensified in recent months amid reports that political blocs within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the coalition-led African Democratic Congress (ADC) are considering him as a consensus candidate for 2027.
Speculation deepened following Jonathan’s recent visit to former Senate President David Mark, now National Chairman of the ADC. Although the party described the visit as “private,” insiders believe it was part of ongoing 2027 political consultations.
Several political figures — including former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and ex-Information Minister Professor Jerry Gana — have publicly urged Jonathan to contest again.
Jonathan, who lost to Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, has not formally declared interest in the race. However, observers say his potential return is being viewed as a strategic option in balancing North-South power rotation, especially since the constitution would only allow him to serve one more four-year term.
Political analysts believe the latest suit underscores the lingering legal ambiguity over the interpretation of presidential tenure and reflects early strategic maneuvering ahead of the 2027 elections.