JONATHAN CHALLENGES SUIT SEEKING TO STOP 2027 PRESIDENTIAL BID
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has formally challenged a lawsuit seeking to stop him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
The case, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, asks the court to bar Jonathan from participating in the race on constitutional grounds. The plaintiff also wants the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate if nominated by any political party.
At the hearing on Wednesday, Jonathan’s lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN), told Justice Peter Lifu that the former president had already filed a notice of preliminary objection, a counter-affidavit, and other legal processes asking the court to dismiss the suit.
Uche explained that Jonathan’s legal team became aware of the matter through media reports and moved quickly because of the importance of the case, which concerns the former president’s eligibility to contest the election.
He described the suit as unfortunate, stressing that the issue had already been decided by the Federal High Court and upheld at the Court of Appeal.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Ndubuisi Ukpai, informed the court that he had just been served with Jonathan’s legal documents and would need time to study and respond to them.
Following the submissions, Justice Lifu adjourned the matter until May 11 for the hearing of Jonathan’s objection and the substantive suit. The court also directed that hearing notices be served on INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation, who were absent during proceedings.