Jonathan Fights Fresh Bid to Block 2027 Run
Goodluck Jonathan is back in court to defend his right to seek the presidency. The former president asked a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday to dismiss a lawsuit intended to bar him from the 2027 election. His legal team argues that the Nigerian judiciary has already settled this matter. This latest challenge seeks a permanent injunction to stop Mr Jonathan from presenting himself as a candidate to any political party. It also asks the court to prevent the electoral commission from publishing his name.
His lawyer, Chris Uche, described the suit as an unfortunate attempt to litigate a decided issue. He told Justice Peter Lifu that the Court of Appeal had already affirmed Mr Jonathan’s eligibility. The former president claims he only learned of the fresh filing through media reports. He moved quickly to file a preliminary objection to protect his political future. The case rests on constitutional interpretations regarding how many times a man can take the oath of office.
The plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi, wants the court to declare Mr Jonathan ineligible based on previous constitutional amendments. These rules aim to limit anyone who succeeded a president from serving more than one full elective term of their own. Mr Jonathan served out the remainder of Umaru Yar’Adua’s term before winning the 2011 election. He lost his re-election bid in 2015 to Muhammadu Buhari. Critics argue that allowing him to run again violates the spirit of term limits.
Justice Lifu adjourned the matter until 11 May to hear the substantive arguments. The judge noted the absence of the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney-General. He ordered that both parties receive formal hearing notices before the next sitting. This ensures the federal government and the electoral umpire weigh in on the dispute. The timeline is tight as the 2027 political cycle begins to hum with activity.
Mr Jonathan remains a unique figure in Nigerian politics. He is the only living former president eligible to return under the current democratic dispensation. His potential candidacy creates significant anxiety within both the ruling party and the opposition. While he has not formally declared an interest, his refusal to rule out a run keeps the rumour mill turning. This legal battle is as much about political optics as it is about the letter of the law.
The outcome will define the boundaries of executive tenure in Nigeria. If the court sides with Mr Jonathan, it closes a loophole that has been poked at for a decade. If it rules against him, it effectively ends the political career of a man who once led the continent’s largest economy. For now, the former president is betting on precedent. He expects the court to respect its own previous rulings and toss the case.