ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed May 26, 2026, to deliver judgment in a suit challenging the eligibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Peter Lifu scheduled the judgment after parties in the matter adopted their final written addresses on Monday.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, was filed by an Abuja-based lawyer who is seeking a declaration on whether Jonathan can constitutionally contest for the presidency again after previously completing the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and later serving a full term after the 2011 election.
The plaintiff asked the court to determine whether, under Sections 1 and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan remains eligible “under any circumstances whatsoever” to seek the office again.
Among the reliefs sought are perpetual injunctions restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for nomination as presidential candidate in 2027 or future elections, and preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission from accepting or publishing his name as a candidate.
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The suit also asked the court to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to ensure compliance with any decision reached by the court.
During proceedings, the Attorney-General of the Federation aligned with Jonathan in asking the court to dismiss the suit. Both parties equally requested substantial costs against the plaintiff.
The defendants also opposed a motion seeking the recusal of Justice Lifu over alleged bias.
However, INEC, listed as the second defendant in the matter, had no legal representation in court during the hearing.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, Emmanuel Agida argued that if Jonathan contests and wins the 2027 election, he would exceed the constitutional limit of eight years allowed for a Nigerian president.
According to the affidavit, Jonathan had already completed the unexpired tenure of Yar’Adua and subsequently served a full four-year term, thereby exhausting the constitutional maximum.
The plaintiff further contended that allowing Jonathan to contest again would amount to him taking the presidential oath for a third time.
Justice Lifu said rulings on preliminary objections raised against the suit would be delivered alongside the substantive judgment on May 26.