The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed May 26, 2026, for judgment in a case challenging the eligibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election.

The case, which has attracted national attention due to its constitutional implications, is being heard by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court of Nigeria.

According to proceedings on Monday, the date was set after all parties in the matter adopted their final written addresses, marking the conclusion of arguments in the suit.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, listed as a defendant, supported Jonathan’s position and urged the court to dismiss the case. The legal challenge was filed by an Abuja-based lawyer questioning Jonathan’s constitutional eligibility to run again.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was listed in the suit but was not represented in court during the hearing.

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The case, filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, seeks judicial interpretation of whether Jonathan remains eligible to contest for president under the 1999 Constitution.

The plaintiff is asking the court to issue a “perpetual injunction” preventing Jonathan from presenting himself for nomination by any political party for the 2027 election or any future polls. He is also seeking to restrain INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.

Central to the argument is the claim that Jonathan has already served both a partial term and a full elected term. The plaintiff contends that Jonathan first completed the unexpired term of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua before winning the 2011 election and serving a full term afterward.

He further argues that if Jonathan were to win in 2027 and serve another four years, it would exceed the constitutional limit on presidential tenure in Nigeria.

Jonathan and the Attorney-General have both urged the court to dismiss the suit and reportedly requested substantial costs against the plaintiff.

Justice Lifu also noted that the court’s ruling on preliminary objections would be delivered alongside the final judgment on May 26.

The case is being closely watched as it could clarify longstanding constitutional debates surrounding presidential term limits and eligibility in Nigeria’s democratic framework ahead of the next election cycle.