Jonathan Weighs 2027 Run Amid Court Eligibility Clash
Elijah TobsBy Elijah Tobs
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May 8, 2026 • 6:55 AM
1m1 min read
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The Core Insight
Former President Goodluck Jonathan responds to youth calls for his 2027 presidential bid by promising wide consultations, calling the race no 'computer game.' A court suit challenges his eligibility, claiming he exceeded two terms after completing Yar'Adua's tenure and serving 2011-2015. He urges youth to get voter cards, boost turnout, promote peace and credible polls. NDC denies any pact, keeping options open.
As the founder and primary investigative voice at Kodawire, Elijah Tobs brings over 15 years of experience in dissecting complex geopolitical and financial systems. His work is centered on the ethical governance of emerging technologies, the shifting architectures of global finance, and the future of pedagogy in a digital-first world. A staunch advocate for high-fidelity journalism, he established Kodawire to be a sanctuary for deep-dive intelligence. Moving away from the ephemeral nature of modern headlines, Kodawire delivers permanent, verified insights that challenge the status quo and empower the global reader.
Jonathan to Consult Widely on 2027 Presidency Calls Amid Court Suit Barring His Eligibility
Goodluck Jonathan receives youth delegation urging 2027 presidential bid (Credit: Kaybee Photography via Pexels)
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said he will consult widely before deciding on calls urging him to contest the 2027 presidential election, stressing that the race for Nigeria’s highest office “is not a computer game.”
Jonathan spoke on Thursday while receiving youth groups who visited his office in Abuja to press him to join the race. He said he had taken note of their appeal but would not rush into a political decision without wide consultations.
Jonathan's Response to Youth Groups
Speaking to the youth groups, Jonathan said: “You are asking me to come and contest the next election. The presidential race is not a computer game. But I’ve heard you, and I’ll consult widely.”
He commended the youth for showing interest in the country, describing patriotism as essential to nation-building. “If you have no interest in the country, you will not bother to be here,” he added.
Jonathan urged young Nigerians to promote peace and credible elections, warning that the absence of transparent electoral processes discouraged competent citizens from participating in politics. This echoes ongoing debates in parties like APC over primaries for 2027.
“The key thing we need in this country is peace, so you continue to advocate for that. And you continue to advocate for peaceful and credible elections in the country. Because if we don’t have peaceful and credible elections, most good citizens will not want to bother to get involved in politics.”
Goodluck Jonathan, Abuja, Thursday
The former President lamented Nigeria’s low voter turnout, saying the country recorded one of the poorest participation rates during elections despite having a large voting population.
“I’ve observed elections in about 14 or more African countries and even Southeast Asia. Nigeria has the lowest turnout in every election cycle. I think INEC needs to do something about it. They need to start getting consultants to look at it. And what is the cause? As young people, you must be involved in the electoral process,” he stated.
Jonathan challenged the youth to participate actively in the electoral process by obtaining voter cards and voting during elections. “If I ask how many of you have your voter’s card now, probably 50 per cent of you don’t have your voter’s card. And you’re asking me to go and contest the election. So you must participate in the electoral process,” he said.
He also lamented the perception of Nigerians abroad, attributing it partly to leadership failures over the years, and reiterated that he had only listened to the appeal and would continue consultations before making any political decision ahead of 2027. Amid broader fiscal pressures like Nigeria's mounting public debt, such decisions carry weight.
“I will consult. I cannot just wake up and say I want to be the president of Nigeria again. But I am telling you that I will consult. If there is a need to, I will wait,” Jonathan stated.
Federal High Court in Abuja set to hear Jonathan eligibility case (Credit: Lagos Food Bank Initiative via Pexels)
Federal High Court Suit Seeks to Bar Jonathan
His remarks come as the Federal High Court in Abuja is set to hear a suit seeking to bar him from contesting the 2027 presidential election on the grounds that he has allegedly exceeded the constitutional limit for holding the office of President. Similar legal scrutiny appears in cases like the FCCPC court warnings.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025 and filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, asks the court to declare Jonathan ineligible to run again and to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing his name as a candidate.
Justice Peter Lifu, on April 28, ordered that hearing notices be issued and served on the defendants after they failed to file responses. Jonathan is the first defendant, with INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation as second and third defendants.
The plaintiff seeks an order restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as a candidate and stopping INEC from accepting or publishing his name.
In the originating summons, Jideobi asked the court to determine “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.”
Jideobi argued that Jonathan had exhausted the constitutional limit of two terms, having completed the tenure of late President Umaru Yar’Adua before serving a full term after winning the 2011 election. An affidavit deposed by Emmanuel Agida stated Jonathan was sworn in as president on May 6, 2010, following Yar’Adua’s death on May 5, 2010.
The affidavit noted that reports suggesting Jonathan may contest the 2027 election informed the suit, filed “in the public interest, in the defence of the rule of law and accentuation of the supremacy of the Constitution.”
NDC Denies Pact with Jonathan
Nigerian youth groups pressing leaders for 2027 election participation (Credit: Monstera Production via Pexels)
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed speculations of a pact with Jonathan ahead of 2027. The party said consultations on its presidential ticket are ongoing and it has not zoned the ticket.
Deputy National Spokesman Abdulmumin Abdulsalam said the NDC is keeping doors open to high-profile politicians, including former governors, ex-ministers, and serving lawmakers. This aligns with tensions in other parties over 2027 strategies.
“The NDC is a party that believes in merging ideas and consultations across boards. I can categorically tell you that we have not zoned the presidential ticket. Consultations are still ongoing since politics is a dynamic game,” he said.
Abdulsalam described reports of Jonathan joining as rumour, adding: “There is no concrete move like that in the hierarchy of our party, and such a decision has not been taken.” He noted Jonathan remains qualified to seek office but there is no pact.
Jonathan said he will consult widely before deciding, stressing the presidential race is not a computer game, and he commended youth patriotism while urging electoral participation.
The suit seeks to declare Jonathan ineligible due to exceeding constitutional two-term limits, having completed Yar’Adua’s tenure and served a full term, and restrain INEC from accepting his candidacy.
NDC denies any pact, states consultations are ongoing without zoning the ticket, and describes reports of Jonathan joining as rumours with no concrete decision.
Jonathan challenged youth to participate by obtaining voter cards and voting, noting low turnout in Nigeria compared to other countries and that many lack cards despite urging him to contest.
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Editorial Team • Question of the Day
"Should Goodluck Jonathan contest the 2027 presidential election?"
