Court to interpret constitutional limits in Jonathan’s 2027 eligibility suit

…fixes May 8 for hearing

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed May 8, 2026 to hear a suit seeking to bar former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 Presidential election.

Justice Peter Lifu adjourned the matter on Tuesday and directed that hearing notices be issued and served on the defendants, who are yet to file their responses.

The suit, filed by Johnmary Jideobi, a lawyer is anchored on constitutional provisions relating to Presidential tenure limits.

The plaintiff is seeking, among other reliefs, an order of perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for nomination in the 2027 election.

He also urged the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate, as well as compel the Attorney-General of the Federation to ensure compliance with any orders of the court.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, Jonathan is listed as the first defendant, while INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation are joined as second and third defendants, respectively.

The plaintiff is asking the court to determine whether, under Sections 1(1)-(3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Jonathan is eligible to contest for the office of president.

According to an affidavit deposed to by Emmanuel Agida in support of the suit, the former president, who assumed office on May 6, 2010, following the death of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and was subsequently elected in 2011, has exhausted the constitutionally permitted tenure.

The plaintiff argued that allowing Jonathan to contest again would amount to a breach of constitutional limits, noting that a president who completes the term of another and is later elected can only serve one additional term.

He further contended that, without judicial intervention, a political party could nominate Jonathan for the 2027 election, potentially leading to a constitutional crisis if he emerges winner.

The suit, the plaintiff said, is filed in the public interest to uphold constitutional supremacy and prevent any violation of the tenure provisions.

The case is expected to test the interpretation of constitutional limits on presidential tenure as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections begin to gather pace.