By our reporter 7.5.2026
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja will Friday, May 8, hear a suit challenging former President Goodluck Jonathan’s likely bid to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, was instituted by a lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi. In his brief he argued that Jonathan is constitutionally ineligible to contest, having served two terms, by completing the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and then winning a full term in 2011.
Justice Peter Lifu had, on April 28, ordered that hearing notices be issued and served on the defendants after they failed to file responses to the suit.
In the originating summons, the plaintiff asked the court to determine “whether in view of the combined provisions of Sections 1(1), (2) and (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, the 1st defendant is eligible, under any circumstances whatsoever, to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Meanwhile Mr. Jonathan told a group of supporters in Abuja Thursday he would make wide consultations before thinking of running again for President.
“Presidential race is not a computer game, but I heard you, and I will consult widely, but the most important thing is in Nigeria that the young people will have in Nigeria that will plan for our grandchildren,” Jonathan said.