Lawyer drags Jonathan to court, seeks to stop him from contesting 2027 presidential election

A fresh legal battle has emerged at the Federal High Court in Abuja, as a lawyer, Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, has filed a suit seeking to bar former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting in the 2027 presidential election.

The suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, urges the court to issue a perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for nomination or participation in the forthcoming presidential poll.

Jideobi argues that allowing the former president to contest again would contravene constitutional provisions limiting the number of terms one can serve as president.

In his suit, Jideobi also urged the court to bar the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate under any political platform.

Jonathan, INEC, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) were listed as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants, respectively.

The plaintiff asked the court to determine whether, under Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Jonathan is eligible “under any circumstances whatsoever” to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He further sought four main declarations, including: That Jonathan is constitutionally ineligible to contest or occupy the office of President again;

That INEC lacks the power to receive or publish his name as a candidate in the 2027 or any future presidential election;

And that both Jonathan and INEC be restrained by perpetual injunction from any such participation or recognition.

The plaintiff also asked the court to direct the Attorney-General to ensure full compliance with any orders issued by the court.

In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, one Emmanuel Agida described himself as an advocate of constitutionalism and the rule of law.

He argued that allowing Jonathan to contest and possibly win in 2027 would violate constitutional limits, as it would mean he had exceeded the maximum of eight years a president is permitted to serve in office.