A lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order to restrain former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Jideobi, citing constitutional provisions, prayed the court to grant a perpetual injunction preventing Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for nomination or participation in the forthcoming poll.
He also urged the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a duly nominated presidential candidate.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, Jideobi listed Jonathan as the 1st defendant, with INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as the 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively.
The suit, filed on Oct. 6, seeks a declaration on “whether, in view of the combined provisions of Sections 1(1), (2) & (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the 1st defendant is eligible under any circumstances whatsoever to contest for the office of the President.”
The lawyer argued that, based on these constitutional provisions, INEC lacks the power to accept Jonathan’s nomination for the 2027 election or any subsequent presidential contest.
He also sought “an order directing the 3rd defendant (AGF) to ensure compliance with the court’s decisions and orders.”
In an affidavit supporting the suit, deposed by Emmanuel Agida, the plaintiff described himself as an advocate of constitutionalism and the rule of law.
He recalled that Jonathan was first sworn in as President on 6 May 2010 following the death of then President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, having previously served as Vice President.
He said reports of Jonathan’s possible 2027 ambition prompted the suit, arguing that the former president had already completed the constitutional limit of two presidential terms — first by completing Yar’Adua’s tenure and then by serving a full term after winning the 2011 election.
According to the affidavit, “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.”
On his legal standing, Jideobi stated that as a lawyer, he is duty-bound to prevent constitutional violations and uphold the rule of law.
He warned that if Jonathan were allowed to contest and win, “it will mark the third time the 1st defendant will be taking the oath of office as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” thereby exceeding the constitutional maximum of eight years in office.
The plaintiff described the suit as a public interest action aimed at defending the supremacy of the constitution and preserving Nigeria’s constitutional order.
The case had yet to be assigned to a judge at the time of this report.
(NAN)