Lawyer Files Suit to Stop Jonathan from Contesting 2027 Presidential Election

ABUJA A legal challenge has been filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to bar former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

The case, instituted by lawyer Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, is aimed at securing a court order that would prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate in any future presidential race.

In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, Jideobi is also requesting a perpetual injunction to stop Jonathan from seeking nomination from any political party for the 2027 election or any subsequent presidential contest.

The former president is listed as the first defendant, while INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) are the second and third defendants, respectively.

At the heart of the suit is a constitutional question: whether Jonathan is eligible to seek another term in office in light of Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended in 2018), which bars any person from occupying the office of President for more than eight years.

The plaintiff asked the court to determine:

> “Whether, having regard to the combined provisions of Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the first defendant is eligible under any circumstances to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”



Key Reliefs Sought

Among the reliefs sought by Jideobi are:

A declaration that Jonathan is constitutionally ineligible to contest or occupy the office of President again.

A declaration that INEC lacks the legal authority to accept or publish Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.

An order of perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for presidential nomination in 2027 or any future election.

An order barring INEC from receiving or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate in any election.

An order directing the AGF to ensure compliance with the court’s decision, once delivered.


Motivation Behind the Suit

In an affidavit filed in support of the case, one Emmanuel Agida explained that Jideobi brought the suit as part of his advocacy for constitutionalism and rule of law.

Agida argued that allowing Jonathan to return to office would violate the constitutional limit of two presidential terms, which amount to a maximum of eight years, regardless of whether the terms were served consecutively.

He contended that a potential Jonathan presidency from 2027 to 2031 would breach the constitutional threshold and set a dangerous precedent.

The suit is yet to be assigned a hearing date, but court officials say proceedings are expected to commence in the coming weeks.

Jonathan, who first became president in 2010 following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, served until 2015 after winning a full term in 2011. He has not yet officially declared interest in the 2027 race.