A legal practitioner, Johnmary Jideobi, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking a perpetual injunction restraining former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting in the 2027 presidential election under any political party.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, Jideobi listed Jonathan as the first defendant, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) were named as the second and third defendants, respectively.
The lawyer is asking the court to stop INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate in any future election, arguing that such an action would breach the Nigerian Constitution.
In an affidavit deposed by Emmanuel Agida, the plaintiff described himself as an “advocate of constitutionalism and the rule of law,” insisting that Jonathan’s return to power would violate constitutional limits on presidential tenure.
He contended that if the former president were to contest and win the 2027 election, his four-year term (2027–2031) would result in him exceeding the constitutionally allowed maximum of eight years in office.
Jideobi asked the court to determine whether, under Sections 1(1), (2), (3), and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Jonathan is constitutionally eligible to contest for the presidency again.
The plaintiff is seeking four major reliefs, including:
- A declaration that Jonathan is ineligible to contest or occupy the office of the President of Nigeria.
- A declaration that INEC lacks the constitutional power to accept or publish Jonathan’s name as a candidate in the 2027 or any future presidential election.
- An order of perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for nomination.
- An order directing the Attorney-General to enforce any decision or order the court issues in the case.
Calls for Jonathan to return to politics ahead of the 2027 elections have recently resurfaced, with some opposition figures urging him to run. However, the former president has yet to publicly declare his intentions.
Last week, the Presidency issued a statement saying that Jonathan is free to contest if he wishes but warned that his “disastrous record in office” would be a key campaign issue if he decides to run.
