A suit has been filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order to bar former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
The plaintiff, through the suit, urged the court to issue a perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party in Nigeria for nomination as its presidential candidate. The court was also asked to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate for the 2027 presidential election or any other subsequent election.
The former president was listed as the first defendant in the suit, while INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation were cited as the second and third defendants, respectively.
The plaintiff, in the originating summons, sought a declaration that based on a proper interpretation of Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Jonathan is constitutionally ineligible to stand for or occupy the office of President again.
He further prayed the court to declare that INEC lacks the constitutional authority to receive or publish Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate for the 2027 election or any election thereafter.
The suit also requested the court to order the Attorney General of the Federation to ensure compliance with any decision or order issued by the court on the matter.
In an affidavit supporting the case, one Emmanuel Agida, who described himself as an advocate of constitutionalism and the rule of law, stated that his action was driven by a desire to uphold the sanctity of the Nigerian Constitution.
