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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

2027: Court to hear suit barring Jonathan Friday

From The Punch · (6h ago) English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A lawsuit seeks to prevent former President Goodluck Jonathan from running in the 2027 presidential election, arguing he has already served the constitutional term limit.
  • The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled a hearing for May 8 to consider the suit, which names Jonathan, INEC, and the Attorney-General as defendants.
  • The plaintiff contends that Jonathan completed Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's term and then served a full term, making him ineligible for a third presidential run.

The legal challenge against former President Goodluck Jonathan's potential 2027 presidential bid raises significant constitutional questions for Nigeria. As reported by The Punch, a lawyer has filed a suit arguing that Jonathan has already served the maximum presidential terms allowed by the 1999 Constitution.

whether in view of the combined provisions of Sections 1(1), (2) and (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, the 1st defendant is eligible, under any circumstances whatsoever, to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

— Plaintiff (Johnmary Jideobi)This is the core question the plaintiff wants the court to determine regarding Goodluck Jonathan's eligibility.

This case hinges on the interpretation of constitutional provisions regarding presidential tenure. The plaintiff asserts that Jonathan, having completed the remainder of the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's term and then serving a full term after winning the 2011 election, has exhausted his eligibility. The suit seeks a court declaration to bar him from seeking the presidency again, and to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting his candidacy.

That the plaintiff believes that the 1st defendant, having completed the unexpired term of late President Yar’Adua and subsequently served a full term after the 2011 election, has exhausted the constitutional limit of two tenures as president.

— Emmanuel Agida (Affidavit)This statement from the affidavit explains the basis of the plaintiff's argument about Jonathan's term limits.

From a Nigerian perspective, such legal battles over presidential eligibility are crucial for upholding constitutional order and ensuring the integrity of democratic processes. The argument that a leader has served the maximum term limit is a fundamental aspect of preventing perpetual rule and promoting fresh leadership. The court's decision will set a precedent for future electoral challenges and reinforce the supremacy of the constitution in Nigeria's political landscape.

That the plaintiff believes that the 1st defendant, having completed the unexpired term of late President Yar’Adua and subsequently served a full term after the 2011 election, has exhausted the constitutional limit of two tenures as president.

— Emmanuel AgidaThis statement from the affidavit explains the basis of the plaintiff's argument about Jonathan's term limits.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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