By Atoyebi Nike
A lawyer, Mr. Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing the name of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as a presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, also prays the court to issue a perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for the purpose of contesting the 2027 presidential election or any future elections.
Jonathan is listed as the first defendant, while INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) are the second and third defendants, respectively.
Jideobi asked the court to determine whether Jonathan is constitutionally eligible to contest again, citing Sections 1 and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). He seeks declarations that Jonathan is ineligible to occupy the office of President again and that INEC lacks authority to accept or publish his name as a candidate.
The lawyer is also seeking orders of perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself for nomination and barring INEC from accepting or publishing his name for the 2027 election.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, one Emmanuel Agida argued that allowing Jonathan to contest and potentially serve another term from 2027 to 2031 would exceed the constitutional eight-year limit.
The matter is expected to be scheduled for hearing in the coming weeks at the Federal High Court.
