The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled May 26, 2026, to deliver judgment in a case challenging the eligibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan to participate in the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Peter Lifu set the date on Monday after lawyers representing all parties formally adopted their final written submissions in the suit.
The case, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, was filed by an Abuja-based legal practitioner seeking judicial interpretation of constitutional provisions relating to presidential tenure and clarification on whether Jonathan can lawfully contest another presidential election.
Both the Attorney General of the Federation and Jonathan urged the court to dismiss the suit and impose heavy costs against the plaintiff. They also opposed an application requesting the judge’s withdrawal from the matter over allegations of bias.
At the heart of the dispute is the interpretation of Sections 1(1), (2) and (3), alongside Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), particularly on whether Jonathan is eligible “under any circumstances whatsoever” to seek the presidency again.
The plaintiff further asked the court to issue a perpetual injunction preventing Jonathan from seeking nomination by any political party for the 2027 election and any future presidential contest. He also requested an order barring the Independent National Electoral Commission from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate.
In his affidavit, the plaintiff argued that Jonathan would surpass the constitutionally permitted maximum of eight years in office if elected again in 2027.
He contended that Jonathan had already completed the remaining tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua before securing and serving a full presidential term following the 2011 election, thereby exhausting the constitutional two-term limit.
According to the plaintiff, failure by the court to intervene could create a scenario where a political party presents Jonathan as its presidential candidate, leading to what he described as a third oath of office.
Justice Lifu also stated that all pending preliminary objections in the case would be decided together with the substantive judgment on May 26.
