Former President Goodluck Jonathan
A constitutional lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, has filed a legal action at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to disqualify former President Goodluck Jonathan from participating in the 2027 presidential election.
In the suit filed on October 6 and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, Jideobi asked the court to issue a perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from contesting any future presidential election under any political platform. He also urged the court to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.
Jonathan, INEC, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) are listed as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants respectively.
Jideobi hinged his request on constitutional provisions, particularly Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which bars anyone who has completed the term of another president from being elected more than once.
In the sole legal question posed to the court, the plaintiff asked:
> “Whether in view of the combined provisions of Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the 1st defendant is eligible, under any circumstances whatsoever, to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?”
Supporting the suit was an affidavit deposed by one Emmanuel Agida, stating that Jonathan first assumed office as President on May 6, 2010, following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, after serving as Vice President. He was later elected for a full term in 2011.
According to the affidavit, Jideobi said he was prompted to act after seeing media reports suggesting that Jonathan might be gearing up for another presidential bid in 2027.
> “The plaintiff believes that the 1st defendant, having completed the unexpired term of late President Yar’Adua and subsequently served a full term after the 2011 election, has exhausted the constitutional limit of two tenures as President,” the affidavit read.
The lawyer further argued that if the court fails to intervene, a political party could present Jonathan as its flagbearer, which he claims would violate the constitution.
He asserted his right to file the case as a Nigerian citizen and legal practitioner committed to upholding the rule of law.
> “There are chances that one of the political parties in Nigeria may favour the 1st defendant to stand as its presidential candidate in the forthcoming 2027 general elections to be conducted and overseen by the 2nd defendant,” the affidavit continued.
> “If unchallenged, the 1st defendant may enter the 2027 presidential race on the platform of one of the political parties in Nigeria and may possibly emerge the winner… it will mark the 3rd time the 1st defendant will be taking oath of office as President.”
Jideobi contended that allowing Jonathan to contest would breach the spirit and letter of the constitution, which sets a maximum of two terms — totaling eight years — for any individual serving as President.
He is also seeking a directive for the Attorney-General to ensure compliance with the court’s eventual decision, stating that the case was filed in the public interest to defend constitutional integrity.
> “It will be in the interest of justice for this Honourable Court to grant the prayers contained on the face of this Originating Summons,” the affidavit concluded.
As of the time of filing this report, the case is yet to be assigned to a judge.
