Former President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday in connection with a suit seeking to prevent him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, was instituted by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who is asking the court to declare Jonathan ineligible to seek the presidency again on constitutional grounds.
According to the plaintiff, Jonathan has already completed the maximum number of presidential tenures allowed under the Nigerian Constitution.
Jideobi argued that the former president first completed the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua after his death in 2010 before going on to win and serve another full term following the 2011 presidential election.
“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 as president,” part of the affidavit filed in support of the suit stated.
Justice Peter Lifu had earlier, on April 28, directed that hearing notices be served on the defendants after they reportedly failed to respond within the stipulated period.
Jonathan was named as the first defendant in the matter, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation were listed as second and third defendants respectively.
The plaintiff is seeking an order restraining Jonathan from presenting himself as a presidential candidate under any political party in the 2027 election.
He also urged the court to prevent INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate for the poll.
In the affidavit deposed to by Emmanuel Agida, it was stated that Jonathan assumed office on May 6, 2010, following the death of President Yar’Adua a day earlier.
The suit, according to the plaintiff, was triggered by growing reports suggesting that the former president may return to contest the presidency in 2027.
Meanwhile, sources quoted by SaharaReporters claimed Jonathan may use his court appearance on Friday to formally declare his presidential ambition and unveil the political platform he intends to use.
“GEJ is planning to appear in court tomorrow, Friday, over a lawsuit seeking to bar him from contesting after which he will declare his presidential ambition and party platform that he intends to use,” a source reportedly said.
Jonathan, who governed Nigeria between 2011 and 2015 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), recently hinted at the possibility of returning to active presidential politics.
Addressing a group of youths who appealed to him to contest, the former president said consultations were ongoing before any final decision would be made.
“Presidential race is not a computer game. But I’ve heard you, and I’ll consult widely. But the most important thing is in Nigeria, that the young people will have hope,” Jonathan said.
