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A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Friday, May 8, to hear a lawsuit seeking to bar former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election. The case, filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, argues that Jonathan is constitutionally ineligible to seek the presidency again under provisions of the 1999 Constitution. 
The plaintiff contends that Jonathan already exhausted the constitutional limit after completing the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010 and subsequently serving a full elected term following the 2011 presidential election. According to the suit, another presidential bid would amount to taking the oath of office for a third time, which the plaintiff says violates Section 137(3) of the Constitution. 
Justice Peter Lifu had earlier ordered hearing notices to be served on the defendants after they reportedly failed to file responses in the matter. Jonathan is listed as the first defendant, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation are joined as co-defendants. The plaintiff is also asking the court to stop INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate if he decides to run. 
Although speculation about a possible Jonathan comeback has intensified in recent months, the former president has not officially declared any intention to contest the 2027 election. The case is nevertheless expected to spark fresh legal and political debate over presidential term limits and constitutional interpretation ahead of the next general elections. 
