Lawyer seeks court order to bar Jonathan from 2027 race

A legal practitioner, Johnmary Jideobi, on Monday, asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to issue a perpetual injunction restraining former President Goodluck Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party in Nigeria for the purpose of contesting the 2027 presidential election.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, Jideobi listed Jonathan as the first defendant, while the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation were mentioned as the second and third defendants.

The lawyer also prayed the court for an order to restrain INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a duly nominated candidate for the presidential contest under any political party.

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

He argued that if Jonathan were to contest and win the 2027 presidential election, which has a four-year term running from 2027 to 2031, he would exceed the constitutionally allowed maximum of eight years in office as President of Nigeria.

Jideobi urged the court to determine “whether, in view of the combined provisions of Sections 1(1), (2) and (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the first defendant is eligible under any circumstances whatsoever to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Upon determination of the question, the plaintiff sought four main reliefs, including “A declaration that, based on a proper interpretation of Sections 1(1), (2) and (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Jonathan is ineligible to contest for or occupy the office of the President of Nigeria.

“A declaration that INEC lacks the constitutional power to receive or publish Jonathan’s name as a candidate of any political party for the presidential election in 2027 or any future election”.

He also prayed the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party in Nigeria for nomination as its presidential candidate in 2027 or thereafter.

He further asked the court to issue an order of perpetual injunction restraining INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate in 2027 or any subsequent election.

The plaintiff additionally asked the court to issue an order directing the Attorney-General of the Federation to ensure compliance with any decision or order made by the court in the matter.

Recently, there has been clamour for Jonathan to run for the presidency.

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A former Minister of Information and a member of Peoples Democratic Party, Professor Jerry Gana, had last said Nigerians, having seen the disparity in their lives after eight years of former President Muhammadu Buhari and two years under incumbent President Bola Tinubu, now knew better and wanted Jonathan to return.

But the party’s National Working Committee dismissed Gana, stating that he does not have the authority of the party to disclose that Jonathan would become its presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections.

The opposition party said it did not lack presidential materials for the next general election, as there were competent and performing governors from the south that could easily become its presidential candidate, if they so desired.