A lawyer Johnmary Jideobi on Monday asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to restrain former President Goodluck Jonathan from presenting himself for nomination by any political party as a candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, also seeks an order preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate.
The defendants in the suit are Jonathan, INEC and the attorney general of the federation (AGF).
Mr Jideobi’s plea hinges on Sections 1(1), (2) & (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which he argues make Jonathan ineligible to contest for the presidency under any circumstances. He asked the court to declare that Jonathan has exhausted his constitutional limit, having completed the unexpired term of President Umaru Yar’Adua and served a full term afterwards.
According to the affidavit in support of the suit, Jonathan first took the oath of office on May 6, 2010, following the death of Yar’Adua, and then won election in 2011.
The plaintiff contends that allowing him to contest again would violate the constitutional tenure limits.
He requested the court to issue a perpetual injunction against Jonathan and against INEC from recognizing his candidacy in 2027 and beyond.
Jideobi said the suit is in the public interest, to uphold constitutional supremacy and prevent any breach of the constitution.
