A legal practitioner, Johnmary Jideobi, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking a perpetual injunction to restrain former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election under any political party.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, Jideobi listed Jonathan as the first defendant, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) were joined as the second and third defendants.
The lawyer is also asking the court to bar INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate for the 2027 presidential election or any future contest.
In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, one Emmanuel Agida, who described himself as an advocate of constitutionalism and the rule of law, stated that allowing Jonathan to contest again would violate the constitutional limit of two presidential terms.
Jideobi argued that if Jonathan were to contest and win the 2027 election, his tenure—spanning from 2027 to 2031—would exceed the maximum eight years permitted by the Constitution.
He urged the court to determine:
“Whether, in view of the combined provisions of Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the first defendant is eligible under any circumstances whatsoever to contest for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The plaintiff sought several declarations and injunctions, including:
- A declaration that Jonathan is constitutionally ineligible to contest or occupy the office of President of Nigeria.
- A declaration that INEC lacks the authority to receive or publish Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate for 2027 or any future election.
- An order of perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for nomination.
- An order directing the Attorney-General of the Federation to ensure compliance with the court’s ruling on the matter.
The move comes amid renewed calls for Jonathan’s return to the presidency. Recently, former Minister of Information and PDP stalwart, Professor Jerry Gana, stated that Nigerians, having experienced governance under both former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu, were now eager for Jonathan’s comeback.
However, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) distanced itself from Gana’s position, clarifying that he spoke in a personal capacity and not on behalf of the party. The NWC further maintained that the PDP has capable leaders and performing governors, especially from the South, who are qualified to emerge as the party’s flagbearer in 2027 if they choose to run.