A Federal High Court in Abuja has been approached to disqualify former President Goodluck Jonathan from participating in the 2027 presidential election. The suit, filed by a lawyer, Mr. Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, seeks an order of perpetual injunction to restrain Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for the purpose of contesting the election. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is also being asked to refrain from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a nominated candidate.
This development comes amidst speculation about Jonathan’s potential candidacy under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Professor Jerry Gana, a former Minister of Information and PDP chieftain, had recently confirmed that Jonathan would run in 2027 as the party’s presidential candidate. However, the presidency has expressed discomfort with the idea of Jonathan joining the race, with Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga attacking Jonathan’s record and questioning his eligibility for another term in office.
Jonathan’s eligibility has been a subject of debate, with some arguing that he is not constitutionally barred from running again. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Oba Maduabuchi, has described the suit as an abuse of court process, citing a previous court judgment in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, which had settled the issue of Jonathan’s qualification. Maduabuchi maintained that the law cannot be applied retroactively and that there was no legal restriction preventing Jonathan from seeking two full terms as President under the constitutional provisions in effect at the time.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has also reacted to the speculation about Jonathan’s candidacy, with the Lagos State chapter describing it as a desperate move rooted in nostalgia rather than competence. The party stated that Jonathan would need “an overdose of good luck” to stand any realistic chance of winning the presidency again. Meanwhile, a Public Affairs Analyst, Dr. Nduka Odo, has said that the APC and supporters of President Bola Tinubu are jittery over the possibility of Jonathan contesting the 2027 presidential election, driven by fear of losing power rather than principle.
The situation has sparked varied reactions, with some advising Jonathan to stay away from the 2027 presidential race for his own good. Veteran Nollywood actor and politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has cautioned that the same forces that nearly destroyed Jonathan’s name when they were not in power would take his name “to the toilet” if he contests again. Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kukah, has also urged Jonathan to tread carefully, quoting former Defence Minister, General Theophilus Danjuma, that “the voice of the devil is not so far from the voice of God.” As the speculation continues, the outcome of the court case and Jonathan’s decision on whether to contest the 2027 presidential election remain to be seen.