Abuja court to begin hearing suit seeking to block Jonathan’s 2027 presidential ambition

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja is set to hear today a suit seeking to prevent former President Goodluck Jonathan from participating in the 2027 presidential election.

The suit, filed under FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025 by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, asks the court to rule that Jonathan is no longer constitutionally qualified to run for the office of president.

Justice Peter Lifu had earlier ordered that hearing notices be served on all parties after some defendants failed to file responses in the case.

The former president is listed as the first defendant, while the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation are joined as second and third defendants.

The plaintiff is seeking an order stopping Jonathan from offering himself as a presidential candidate in 2027 and another restraining INEC from accepting or publishing his name.

He is also asking the court to interpret provisions of the 1999 Constitution on eligibility, particularly Sections 1 and 137, in relation to Jonathan’s past tenure.

According to the suit, Jonathan has already served two terms in office—first completing the tenure of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua after his death in 2010, and later winning and completing the 2011 presidential election.

In an affidavit supporting the case, Emmanuel Agida said Jonathan’s alleged interest in the 2027 race necessitated the legal action.

“That 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,” he stated.

The plaintiff warned that failure to stop Jonathan could lead to a constitutional breach if any political party presents him as a candidate.

“That if the court does not intervene timeously, a political party may present the 1st defendant as its presidential candidate in the 2027 general election, thereby breaching the constitution,” the affidavit added.

The case is coming at a time Jonathan has been making public remarks on governance, urging improved voter participation and better leadership planning.

He recently said Nigeria records one of the lowest voter turnouts globally, despite his experience observing elections across several countries.

Jonathan, however, has not publicly confirmed or denied reports of a possible return to the presidential race in 2027.

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