Court to hear suit seeking to bar Jonathan from 2027 election
The Federal High Court in Abuja will hear a suit aiming to prevent Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election. The suit, filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, argues that Jonathan is constitutionally ineligible to run for president again. The case involves the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation as co-defendants. The plaintiff claims that Jonathan has already served the maximum number of terms allowed by the constitution.
What we know
- The Federal High Court has fixed Friday, May 8, for the hearing of the suit against Goodluck Jonathan.
- Johnmary Jideobi is seeking a court order to stop Jonathan from presenting himself as a candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
- The suit also asks the court to restrain INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate.
- The plaintiff argues that Jonathan was sworn in as president on May 6, 2010, after the death of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on May 5, 2010, and later served a full term after the 2011 election.
- The case contends that if Jonathan runs and wins in 2027, he would be taking the presidential oath for the third time, which the plaintiff claims is unconstitutional.
