An Abuja based legal practitioner, Jideobi Johnmary, on Monday asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to, among others, stop ex-President Goodluck Jonathan from participating as a candidate in the 2027 presidential election.
Thefrontrank reports that the suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, was dated October 6, 2025.
Johnmary, citing constitutional grounds, urged the court to issue an order of perpetual injunction, restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any of the political parties for the purpose of contesting the 2027 presidential poll.
He equally prayed the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting from any political party, Jonathan’s name or publishing same as a duly nominated candidate for the election.
The suit listed the former president as 1st defendant, while INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) are the 2nd and 3rd defendants, respectively.
Among others, Johnmary sought for determination, “Whether in view of the combined provisions of the entirety Sections 1(1), (2) & (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and their conflated interpretation, the 1st defendant is eligible, under any circumstances [whatsoever] to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?”
He, however, cited Sections 1(1), (2) & (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
Johnmary argued that INEC lacked the constitutional power to receive from any political party the name of the Jonathan for purpose of election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria holding in 2027 and other years to come.
As well as, “an order of this Honourable Court directing the 3rd defendant (AGF) to ensure compliance with the decisions and orders of this court.”
The lawyer, in an affidavit deposed in support of the suit by one Emmanuel Agida, informed the court that he is an advocate of constitutionalism and the rule of law.
He stated that Jonathan, who was vice president, was first sworn in as president on May 6, 2010, following the death of then President Umaru Yar’Adua on the May 5, 2010.
“That the plaintiff believes that 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.
“That if the court does not intervene timeously, a political party may present the 1st defendant as its presidential candidate in the 2027 general election, thereby breaching the constitution,” Johnmary argued.
He said he recently saw on various national dailies and television stations, reports on Jonathan’s intention to contest the 2027 Presidential election.
On his locus standi (legal right) to institute the action, Johnmary stated that part of his duties, as a lawyer, is to uphold the rule of law and forestall a violation of the constitution.
The plaintiff prayed the court to issue an order perpetually restraining, prohibiting and barring the 2rd defendant (INEC) from accepting the 1st defendant as candidate for the 2027 presidential election on the grounds that Jonathan is constitutionally not qualified to contest any presidential election in Nigeria, having been elected, sworn-in and held the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on two previous occasions.
The case is yet to be assigned to a judge.
