A Federal High Court in Abuja is expected to deliver one of the most consequential rulings of the 2027 pre-election season today (Tuesday).
It is a judgment on whether former President Goodluck Jonathan is constitutionally eligible to contest the presidency again.
Justice Peter Lifu will rule on a suit filed by Abuja-based lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who is seeking a court order permanently barring Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as a presidential aspirant.
Jideobi is also asking the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission from accepting, processing, or publishing Jonathan's name as a candidate.
At the heart of the case is the interpretation of Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution.
The plaintiff argues that Jonathan has already exhausted the constitutional two-term limit, resting his case on the sequence of Jonathan's time in power.
Jonathan was first sworn in on May 6, 2010, after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, completing the remainder of Yar'Adua's term.
He then won the 2011 election outright and served a full four-year term before losing to Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
A return to the presidency in 2027, Jideobi argues, would constitute a third oath of office.
Jonathan is fighting the suit. His legal team, led by Chief Chris Uche (SAN), filed a preliminary objection, counter-affidavit, and written address urging the court to dismiss the case entirely.
Uche pointed to earlier decisions, including rulings from a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal, that have previously affirmed Jonathan's eligibility, and asked for N50 million in costs against the plaintiff.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, listed as a third defendant, aligned fully with Jonathan, with his representative describing the suit as lacking merit.
Today's ruling will also settle a separate motion by the plaintiff asking Justice Lifu to recuse himself over alleged bias in the management of timelines.
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