Court Takes Fresh Action on Jonathan’s 2027 Ambition
Court Takes Fresh Action on Jonathan’s 2027 Ambition
A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled May 11, 2026, for the continuation of proceedings in a case aimed at preventing former President Goodluck Jonathan from running in the 2027 presidential election.
The hearing took place before Justice Peter Lifu, but could not proceed as the plaintiff’s counsel, Ndubuisi Ukpai, indicated that he had only recently received a preliminary objection from the defense and required additional time to review the documents and formulate a response.
The court has adjourned the case and instructed that hearing notices be properly served to all involved parties ahead of the next session. This legal dispute focuses on Jonathan’s constitutional eligibility to pursue another term as president under the 1999 Constitution.
During the proceedings, Chris Uche (SAN), representing the former president, stated that Jonathan became aware of the lawsuit through media coverage and noted that efforts were being made to ensure that all necessary legal documents were filed correctly on his behalf.
Uche also questioned why the issue was being revisited, arguing that similar constitutional questions surrounding Jonathan’s eligibility had already been addressed in previous decisions of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.
Neither the Independent National Electoral Commission nor the Attorney-General of the Federation, who are listed as defendants in the matter, had legal representatives present in court.
The suit was filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who is asking the court to declare Jonathan constitutionally barred from contesting the presidency again.
The plaintiff also wants the court to restrain the former president from presenting himself to any political party as a candidate for the 2027 election. He further requested an order stopping INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.Politics
At the centre of the dispute is the interpretation of Section 137 of the Constitution and whether Jonathan, having completed the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010 before winning the 2011 election, has already exhausted the constitutional limit allowed for the office.
According to court documents, the plaintiff argued that permitting Jonathan to contest again would amount to him taking the presidential oath for a third time, which he claimed would violate constitutional provisions.
An affidavit filed in support of the suit by Emmanuel Agida stated that the legal action became necessary following reports suggesting Jonathan could return to the presidential race ahead of the 2027 general election.
Justice Lifu had earlier ordered that all parties in the suit be properly served after observing that some respondents had yet to file their responses.
The case is expected to resume on May 11 as legal arguments continue over Jonathan’s political future and the constitutional interpretation of presidential tenure limits in Nigeria.
