Speculation surrounding the 2027 presidential ambition of former President Goodluck Jonathan under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new twist, unsettling the political camp of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The controversy deepened after a lawyer, Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, dragged Jonathan before a Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to bar him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, the plaintiff asked the court to issue a perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for nomination or election into the office of president.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) were listed as the 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively.

Jideobi urged the court to interpret whether, under Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Jonathan — having been sworn in twice — remains eligible to contest again.

Presidency Reacts, Calls Jonathan’s Tenure a ‘Disaster’

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga dismissed calls for Jonathan’s return, describing his administration as “disastrous.”

Onanuga, reacting to former Information Minister Prof. Jerry Gana’s claim that Jonathan would contest in 2027 on the PDP platform, said the former leader lacked any clear economic direction during his tenure.

“Let us remind ourselves about Jonathan’s record. We cannot forget in a hurry how his regime, devoid of any clear economic agenda, engaged in frivolous spending, ran the economy aground and put the country in dire straits,” Onanuga stated.

He added that Jonathan’s eligibility for another term would ultimately be determined by the courts.

Legal Experts Fault New Suit

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Oba Maduabuchi, described the new suit as an abuse of court process, saying the issue had already been resolved by a competent court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, with no appeal filed against that judgment.

He argued that the 2018 constitutional amendment introducing Section 137(3) cannot be applied retroactively, as it did not exist when Jonathan first assumed office in 2010 following President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s death.

Maduabuchi said, “When Jonathan took the oath of office in 2010 and later in 2011, there were no statutory limitations in existence that could inhibit him from running his constitutionally guaranteed two terms.”

APC Mocks PDP, Says Jonathan Needs ‘Overdose of Good Luck’

The Lagos State chapter of the APC ridiculed the PDP’s alleged plan to return Jonathan to Aso Rock, describing it as a nostalgic and desperate political move.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, the party said Jonathan would need “an overdose of good luck” to have any realistic chance of winning in 2027.

“The landmines before him are numerous — legal, records, and fundamental questions of capacity,” Oladejo added.

‘They Will Rubbish You’ — Kenneth Okonkwo Warns Jonathan

Veteran actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo advised Jonathan to stay out of the race, warning that the same forces that “nearly destroyed his name” when he was in power are still influential.

“The same people who almost ruined him then are now in power. If he contests again, they will rubbish him,” Okonkwo said.

Kukah Cautions Jonathan: ‘The Devil’s Voice Not Far from God’s’

Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kukah, also urged Jonathan to be cautious, warning that some of those urging him to return are motivated by self-interest.

Quoting General Theophilus Danjuma, Kukah said: “The voice of the devil is not so far from the voice of God. Listen carefully to those who want to use you for their interests, not yours or Nigeria’s.”

Analyst: Tinubu Camp ‘Jittery’ Over Jonathan’s Possible Return

Public affairs analyst Dr. Nduka Odo of Peaceland University said the reactions from the APC and Tinubu’s allies reflect fear of Jonathan’s potential comeback.

“APC and Tinubu camps are jittery. No one sees a threat to their source of power and stays calm,” Odo said.

He added that “rabid attacks on strong opponents have become a strategy” for the ruling party, warning that such tactics could backfire ahead of 2027.