A Federal High Court in Abuja will on May 8, 2025, hear a lawsuit challenging former President Goodluck Jonathan's eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election. The suit, filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, seeks a declaration that Jonathan is constitutionally barred from running for president again due to term limits. Jideobi is asking the court to prohibit Jonathan from presenting himself as a candidate to any political party and to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing his name as a presidential aspirant. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, names Jonathan as the first defendant, with INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation as second and third defendants. The plaintiff argues that under sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan has already served two terms. He assumed office on May 6, 2010, to complete the term of the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, then won and served a full four-year term after the 2011 election. An affidavit in support of the suit was deposed by Emmanuel Agida, acting on behalf of the plaintiff. The court will determine whether Jonathan, having served a partial term and a full term, qualifies for another run under the constitution. No hearing has been scheduled beyond May 8, and no statement has been issued by Jonathan or his representatives in response to the suit.
A former president who left office nine years ago is being dragged back into court over eligibility for an election still two years away, exposing how constitutional ambiguities linger without resolution. The suit hinges on whether completing a predecessor's term and winning one election constitutes two full terms under the 1999 Constitution. If the court upholds this interpretation, it could set a precedent affecting future vice presidents in similar positions. Until then, speculation will overshadow clarity.
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