The Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to issue a perpetual injunction restraining former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election under any political party in Nigeria.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, a lawyer, Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, approached the court seeking to stop Jonathan from participating in future presidential elections, arguing that doing so would violate the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) were joined as the 2nd and 3rd defendants, respectively.

The plaintiff asked the court to determine whether, in light of the provisions of Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the Constitution, Jonathan is constitutionally eligible to contest for the presidency again.

Jideobi sought four major reliefs, including a declaration that Jonathan is ineligible to occupy the office of President, an order barring INEC from accepting or publishing his name as a candidate in any future election, and an injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself for nomination by any political party.

In an affidavit supporting the suit, Emmanuel Agida, who deposed to the facts on behalf of the plaintiff, stated that Jonathan had already served as President from May 6, 2010, following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and later completed a full term after winning the 2011 presidential election.

The plaintiff argued that since Jonathan had been sworn in twice as President, any attempt to contest again would breach the constitutional limit of two terms.

He expressed concern that unless the court intervenes, a political party might field Jonathan as its candidate in the 2027 general elections, which, according to him, would contravene the Constitution.

The plaintiff maintained that as a lawyer and advocate of constitutionalism, he has the right to challenge any potential breach of the nation’s supreme law.

He emphasized that Section 137(3) of the Constitution prohibits any person who has previously completed another President’s tenure from being elected into that office more than once.

The plaintiff therefore urged the court to protect the constitutional order by granting all the reliefs sought, noting that the suit was filed in the interest of justice and the supremacy of the Constitution.

The court has yet to fix a date for hearing the case.