- The plaintiff further contended that allowing Jonathan to contest and potentially win in 2027 would amount to a third oath of office
- The matter will now proceed before the court on Friday for hearing
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Friday, May 8, 2026, for hearing in a case seeking to prevent former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, was filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who is asking the court to declare that Jonathan is not constitutionally qualified to run for the office of President again.
EDITOR’S PICK
- Benue Mortician Arrested for Using Corpse Part as Walking Stick
- Baba Yusuf: Bandits May Reach National Assembly
- PDP Asks INEC To Withdraw Recognition Of Anyanwu As National Secretary
Justice Peter Lifu had earlier, on April 28, ordered that hearing notices be served on all parties after the defendants failed to respond to the suit.
Jonathan is listed as the first defendant, while the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation are joined as second and third defendants respectively.
The plaintiff is also seeking an order restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as a presidential aspirant ahead of the 2027 general election, as well as an injunction stopping INEC from accepting or publishing his name as a candidate.
In the originating summons, the court is being asked to interpret whether, based on Sections 1(1), 1(2), 1(3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan remains eligible to contest the presidency under any circumstance.
Jideobi argued that Jonathan has already reached the constitutional limit of two terms, stating that he completed the tenure of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua after his death in 2010 and later served a full elected term after the 2011 presidential election.
According to court documents, Jonathan was sworn in as President on May 6, 2010, following Yar’Adua’s death on May 5, 2010.
The plaintiff further contended that allowing Jonathan to contest and potentially win in 2027 would amount to a third oath of office, which he claims violates the Constitution.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, Emmanuel Agida said the case was filed in the public interest to uphold constitutional supremacy and protect the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic framework.
The matter will now proceed before the court on Friday for hearing.
FURTHER READING
