Fresh Legal Firestorm: Court Moves To Stop Jonathan From Contesting 2027 Presidency - Suit Alleges He Has Already Exceeded Constitutional Limit

... Plaintiff insists ex-President's 2027 ambition violates 1999 Constitution as amended - seeks perpetual injunction against Jonathan and INEC

A fresh political storm is brewing in Abuja as a lawyer, Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, has dragged former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to the Federal High Court, seeking to permanently bar him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

The explosive suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, also names the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as co-defendants. It demands that the court issue a perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from "presenting himself to any political partyÔÇØ for nomination as a presidential candidate in 2027 or beyond.

According to the suit, Jideobi, who describes himself as an advocate of constitutionalism and the rule of law, argues that Jonathan is constitutionally barred from returning to the presidency under the combined provisions of Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

He insists that if Jonathan were allowed to run and eventually won in 2027, his tenure would extend beyond the eight-year constitutional limit, having already served as President between 2010 and 2015.

In the affidavit supporting the suit, one Emmanuel Agida contends that the case seeks to prevent "a constitutional crisisÔÇØ that could arise from what he described as an illegal extension of tenure cloaked as a fresh mandate.

The plaintiff is also asking the court to bar INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan's name as a candidate for the 2027 election under any political platform, stressing that doing so would constitute a direct violation of the constitution.

"Upon a complete understanding of Sections 1 and 137 of the Constitution, the first defendant, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, is ineligible to stand for or occupy the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,ÔÇØ the suit reads in part.

The matter has ignited fresh debate across the political landscape, as speculations about Jonathan's possible return to the ballot have persisted since 2023. While the former president has neither confirmed nor denied his 2027 ambitions, the case has already sparked political reactions, with analysts describing it as a preemptive strike aimed at derailing any comeback attempt.

Neither Jonathan's camp nor INEC has officially reacted to the suit at the time of filing this report, but sources close to the former president hinted that his legal team is "studying the situation.ÔÇØ

Observers believe the case could become a major constitutional test - one that may redefine presidential eligibility in Nigeria's evolving democracy.