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By Correspondent in Abuja.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday, challenged a suit seeking to disqualify him from contesting the 2027 presidential election, telling the Federal High Court in Abuja that the case should be dismissed.
Jonathan, through his lawyer, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, raised the objection before Justice Peter Lifu shortly after the matter was called for hearing.
Uche informed the court that Jonathan had already filed a conditional appearance, notice of preliminary objection, counter-affidavit and written address on May 5, urging the court to throw out the suit.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said the former president only became aware of the case through media reports, stressing that the defence acted swiftly because of the constitutional implications surrounding Jonathan’s eligibility to participate in the 2027 presidential race.
He described the suit as unfortunate, arguing that the issue had already been settled by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in earlier decisions.
According to him, it was surprising that a legal practitioner would institute a fresh action on a matter he claimed had already been judicially determined.
The Counsel to the plaintiff, Ndubuisi Ukpai, however, told the court that the matter was scheduled for mention and that he had just been served with Jonathan’s processes in court.
Ukpai requested more time to study and respond to the filings.
Following submissions by both parties, Justice Lifu adjourned the matter until May 11 at 2 p.m. for hearing of Jonathan’s preliminary objection as well as the substantive suit.
The judge also directed that hearing notices be issued and served on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), who are listed as the 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively, but were absent in court.
The suit was filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who is asking the court to restrain Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election on constitutional grounds.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, Jideobi is seeking an order of perpetual injunction barring Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for nomination as a presidential candidate.
He also prayed the court to restrain INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a validly nominated candidate for the election.
The suit, dated and filed on Oct. 6, 2025, joined Jonathan as the 1st defendant, while INEC and the AGF were listed as co-defendants.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
