2027 Presidency: Court sets May 26 to determine Jonathan’s eligibility
Federal High Court Schedules Judgment on Jonathan’s 2027 Presidential Eligibility
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA — The Federal High Court in Abuja has set May 26 as the date to deliver its judgment in a legal challenge regarding former President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility to run in the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Peter Lifu announced the date following the conclusion of arguments from all parties involved.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), named as a defendant in the case, has expressed support for Jonathan, both seeking dismissal of the lawsuit. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), however, did not enter a defense as it did not have legal representation present in court.
Both the AGF and Jonathan requested that the court impose substantial costs on the plaintiff, who is an Abuja-based lawyer. They also opposed a motion that requested the judge’s recusal on the basis of bias.
The plaintiff, identified in court documents as Emmanuel Agida, has raised a central question for the court’s consideration:
“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 and their conflated interpretation, the 1st Defendant is eligible, under any circumstances, to contest for the office of the President of Nigeria?”
In addition to this inquiry, the plaintiff has sought multiple reliefs, including:
- A perpetual injunction preventing Jonathan from presenting himself for nomination as a presidential candidate in the 2027 election and in future elections.
- An injunction against INEC to prevent it from accepting Jonathan’s nomination or publishing his name as a candidate for the upcoming election.
- An order directing the AGF to ensure compliance with the court’s decisions.
Agida’s affidavit argues that if Jonathan were to win the 2027 election, he would exceed the constitutional limit of two tenures, given that he completed the unexpired term of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and served a full term after the 2011 election.
The plaintiff asserts that failure to intervene could allow a political party to nominate Jonathan, potentially breaching constitutional limits. He emphasized that if Jonathan takes office again, it would mark his third swearing-in as President of Nigeria.
Justice Lifu indicated that a ruling on the objections will be issued alongside the final judgment.
