- The case centres on whether Jonathan is constitutionally qualified to seek the presidency again
- Justice Lifu ordered that hearing notices be properly served on all parties before the next adjourned date
- According to the plaintiff, allowing the former president to run again could result in him taking the oath of office for a third time
A Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed until May 11, 2026, the hearing of a lawsuit seeking to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Justice Peter Lifu adjourned the matter on Friday after counsel to the plaintiff, Ndubuisi Ukpai, informed the court that he had only recently received a preliminary objection from the defence and required more time to respond.
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The case centres on whether Jonathan is constitutionally qualified to seek the presidency again under the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
At the commencement of proceedings, Jonathan’s lawyer, Chris Uche, told the court that he initially became aware of the suit through media reports and had since taken steps to ensure all legal documents relating to the former president’s defence were properly filed.
Uche also argued that courts had previously ruled on similar issues, including decisions by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, questioning why the debate over Jonathan’s eligibility had resurfaced.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation, who were listed as defendants in the suit, were absent during the proceedings.
Following submissions from lawyers involved in the matter, Justice Lifu ordered that hearing notices be properly served on all parties before the next adjourned date.
The suit was filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who is asking the court to declare Jonathan ineligible to contest the presidency again.
The plaintiff is also seeking an order preventing the former president from presenting himself to any political party as a candidate for the 2027 election, as well as an injunction restraining INEC from accepting or publishing his name as a presidential aspirant.
Central to the case is the interpretation of constitutional provisions relating to presidential tenure limits, particularly whether Jonathan can legally seek another term after previously completing the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and later winning the 2011 presidential election.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, Emmanuel Agida, who deposed on behalf of the plaintiff, stated that the legal action became necessary following reports suggesting Jonathan might contest the 2027 election.
According to the plaintiff, allowing the former president to run again could result in him taking the oath of office for a third time, which he argued would violate constitutional provisions.
Justice Lifu had earlier directed that hearing notices be served on all defendants after observing that some parties were yet to respond to the case.
The court is now expected to revisit the matter on May 11 as legal arguments over Jonathan’s eligibility continue.
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