Jonathan Dragged to Court Over 2027 Presidential Plan

A suit has been filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to prevent former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting in the 2027 presidential election.

The case, brought by a lawyer, Mr. Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, requests the court to issue a perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for nomination.The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation were listed as the second and third defendants in the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025.

The plaintiff asked the court to also stop INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate for the 2027 election.In his filing, the lawyer argued that based on the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan is not eligible to contest again since he has already been sworn in twice as President.

He maintained that the former leader first assumed office in May 2010 after the death of then President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and later served a full four-year term following the 2011 election.The suit also sought a declaration that INEC has no authority to process Jonathan’s candidacy and an order directing the Attorney General to enforce the court’s decision once made.

An affidavit supporting the case stated that the plaintiff, identified as a constitutional lawyer and advocate of the rule of law, acted to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s Constitution. He explained that allowing Jonathan to contest again would violate the constitutional limit of two presidential tenures and could disrupt the country’s democratic order.

The plaintiff added that he brought the case in the public interest to prevent any constitutional breach that might arise if a political party nominates Jonathan for the election.

He said he filed the suit to ensure that no one assumes power in Nigeria in a way that goes against the provisions of the Constitution.The case has not yet been assigned a date for hearing.