By Ado Oyeyemi
A Federal High Court in Abuja is set to deliver judgment today on a suit seeking to bar former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
The court, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, is also expected to determine whether Jonathan remains constitutionally qualified to take the oath of office again after previously serving as president and completing two terms in office before leaving power in 2015.
The case was instituted by a plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi, who asked the court to restrain the former president from presenting himself as a candidate in the 2027 poll under any political platform.
Jideobi also urged the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission from accepting, processing, or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate should he decide to contest.
The suit specifically seeks the court’s interpretation of Sections 1(1), 1(2), 1(3), and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution regarding Jonathan’s eligibility for another term in office.
Justice Lifu had fixed Tuesday, May 26, 2026, for judgment after listening to arguments from counsel representing both the plaintiff and the defendants in the matter.
The development comes amid renewed political speculation surrounding Jonathan’s possible return to active politics ahead of the 2027 general election.
Last week, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki reportedly granted the former president a waiver and endorsed him as the party’s sole presidential candidate.
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The court’s ruling is expected to provide clarity on the constitutional debate over whether Jonathan can legally seek the presidency again.
