Court fixes May 8 for suit to bar Jonathan from 2027 presidential race
Federal High Court to Hear Case Against Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidential Bid
ABUJA — A Federal High Court has scheduled a hearing for May 8 regarding a lawsuit aimed at barring former President Goodluck Jonathan from participating in the 2027 presidential election.
The lawsuit was initiated by attorney Johnmary Jideobi, who argues that the Nigerian Constitution renders Jonathan ineligible to run for the presidency again. Jideobi seeks a court order preventing Jonathan from joining any political party as a presidential candidate and prohibiting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publicizing his name for the upcoming election.
The defendants listed in the suit include Jonathan, the INEC, and the Attorney-General of the Federation. The plaintiff asks the court to evaluate whether Jonathan is eligible to contest for the presidency in light of sections 1(1), (2), (3), and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution.
According to the lawsuit, Jonathan previously completed the remainder of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s term after his death in 2010 and subsequently won a full term in the 2011 election.
In support of the legal action, Emmanuel Agida, who filed an affidavit, stated that reports linking Jonathan to the 2027 election prompted the lawsuit. The affidavit asserts that Jonathan has already fulfilled the constitutional limit of two terms as president due to his prior service.
Agida also cautioned that timely court intervention is necessary to prevent a political party from nominating Jonathan as its candidate, a move he claims would violate the Constitution.
The affidavit further contends that if Jonathan contests and secures victory, it would mark his third term as president. Agida emphasized that the suit is filed in the interest of the public to uphold the rule of law and the integrity of Nigeria’s constitutional framework.
