The Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to restrain former President Goodluck Jonathan from participating in the 2027 presidential election.
In a suit filed on Monday, a legal practitioner, Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, urged the court to issue a perpetual injunction stopping Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for nomination or contesting for the presidency again.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) were joined as second and third defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025.
The plaintiff is also seeking an order barring INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate for the 2027 presidential election, arguing that the former president has already served the maximum constitutional limit of two terms.
In his argument, Jideobi asked the court to determine whether, based on the combined provisions of Sections 1(1)-(3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Jonathan remains eligible to seek election into the office of President.
He is seeking four main reliefs, including a declaration that Jonathan is constitutionally ineligible to contest, and injunctions preventing both Jonathan and INEC from violating the constitutional term limit.
An affidavit filed in support of the suit by Emmanuel Agida described the plaintiff as an advocate of constitutionalism and the rule of law.
The affidavit noted that Jonathan first assumed office on May 6, 2010, following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and later won election in 2011.
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It argued that any fresh attempt to contest in 2027 would amount to a breach of the constitutional provision that limits a president’s tenure to a maximum of two terms.
“The plaintiff believes that the 1st defendant, having completed the unexpired term of late President Yar’Adua and subsequently served a full term after the 2011 election, has exhausted the constitutional limit of two tenures,” the document read in part.
Jideobi maintained that he filed the suit in the public interest to protect the supremacy of the constitution and prevent what he described as “a potential violation of Nigeria’s constitutional order.”
The case also urged the court to direct the Attorney General to ensure compliance with any order the court may grant.
No date has been fixed for hearing.