Former President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to appear before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday in a case seeking to stop him from contesting the 2027 presidential election, amid mounting speculation that he is preparing to formally re-enter the race.
The suit, filed by Abuja-based lawyer Johnmary Jideobi and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, is challenging Jonathan’s constitutional eligibility to seek the presidency again.
The plaintiff argued that Jonathan had already completed the maximum tenure allowed by law after taking over from late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010 and later winning a fresh four-year mandate in the 2011 presidential election.
Joined as defendants in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Justice Peter Lifu had earlier directed that hearing notices be served on all parties after the defendants reportedly failed to file responses within the stipulated time.
Court filings seen by journalists showed that the plaintiff is asking the court to restrain Jonathan from contesting under any political platform in 2027 and to prevent INEC from recognising or publishing his candidacy.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, Emmanuel Agida stated that Jonathan became president on May 6, 2010, following Yar’Adua’s death, and therefore had already exhausted the constitutional limit for the office.
The legal challenge comes as political talks surrounding Jonathan’s possible return to active politics continue to gather momentum.
Sources familiar with the development disclosed that the former president may formally unveil his 2027 presidential ambition shortly after Friday’s court proceedings.
According to insiders, Jonathan is also expected to announce the political platform on which he intends to pursue the bid.
One of the sources said the former president viewed the court appearance as an opportunity to directly address growing public speculation about his political future.
Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president between 2011 and 2015 under the Peoples Democratic Party before losing his reelection bid to former President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress.
Speculation over a possible comeback intensified on Thursday after Jonathan addressed a group of youths urging him to contest the 2027 election.
Responding to the appeal, the former president said the presidency was not an office to be pursued casually and stressed the need for consultations before taking a final decision.
“Presidential race is not a computer game. But I’ve heard you, and I’ll consult widely. But the most important thing is that young people in Nigeria should have hope,” Jonathan said.