A Federal High Court in Abuja will deliver judgment on May 26 to settle whether former President Goodluck Jonathan can legally run for president in 2027, Justice Peter Lifu announced on Monday after lawyers finished presenting their arguments.
The case hinges on a constitutional question: whether Jonathan, who completed Yar'Adua's unexpired term and then won a full four-year term in 2011, has exhausted the two-term limit for Nigerian presidents. An Abuja lawyer filed the suit arguing that if Jonathan wins in 2027 and serves until 2031, he would exceed the constitutional maximum of eight years in office.
Jonathan and the Attorney-General of the Federation, both listed as defendants, asked the court to throw out the case and award costs against the plaintiff. The Independent National Electoral Commission, also named as a defendant, did not show up in court and has no legal representation in the matter. Jonathan's legal team also opposed a motion asking the judge to step aside over alleged bias.
The plaintiff, through an affidavit deposed by Emmanuel Agida, wants the court to issue an injunction barring Jonathan from seeking the presidency in 2027 or any year thereafter. The suit also seeks to stop INEC from accepting Jonathan's nomination from any political party and to compel the Attorney-General to enforce the court's decision.
The constitutional question the court must answer focuses on sections 1 and 137 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. The plaintiff argues these sections, read together, prohibit anyone from serving more than two terms or eight years total as president, regardless of how those years are divided between unexpired and full terms.
Justice Lifu said he would rule on all objections to the suit at the same time he delivers the main judgment. The case is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025.
