A new political and legal storm is gathering ahead of the 2027 general elections as the Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to issue an order of perpetual injunction restraining former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the presidential election again.
The plaintiffs, in the suit filed on Monday, are urging the court to bar Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party in Nigeria for the purpose of contesting in the 2027 presidential race. They argue that by virtue of Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Jonathan, having once served as Nigeria’s President, is constitutionally disqualified from seeking re-election into the same office.
According to the applicants, Jonathan’s return to the ballot would violate the constitutional provision that limits a person to two terms in office as President, regardless of whether the tenure was completed or not.
Jonathan, who first assumed the presidency in 2010 following the death of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, went on to win the 2011 election but lost his re-election bid in 2015 to Muhammadu Buhari. His tenure made him the first Nigerian leader to concede defeat and hand over peacefully to an opposition candidate.
The suit, now before the Federal High Court in Abuja, is expected to be assigned to a judge for hearing in the coming days. Legal analysts believe the outcome could have significant implications for Nigeria’s political future and the interpretation of constitutional limits on presidential tenure.
As at press time, Jonathan’s media office had yet to issue any official statement regarding the court action.
Background: Renewed Talks of Jonathan’s 2027 Ambition
Speculations about Jonathan’s possible return to politics have continued to dominate conversations within political circles since 2022. The former President has been repeatedly mentioned as a potential consensus candidate for some political groups seeking a “national unity” figure ahead of 2027.
However, constitutional barriers and political realities have made his comeback uncertain. Monday’s court action now adds a new twist to the ongoing debate over his political future.
Why This Matters:
The suit could redefine Nigeria’s political eligibility framework and set a major precedent for how constitutional term limits are applied to former presidents in future elections.
