Jonathan challenges lawsuit seeking his disqualification from 2027 presidential election

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has opposed a lawsuit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to bar him from contesting the 2027 presidential election, setting the stage for a legal battle over his eligibility.

The case, filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, is asking the court to issue a perpetual injunction preventing Jonathan from presenting himself for any political party’s presidential ticket and stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing his name as a candidate.

Jideobi, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, argued on constitutional grounds that the former president should be disqualified from the 2027 race. He also joined INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation as co-defendants in the matter.

At the resumed hearing on Friday, Jonathan’s legal team, led by senior advocate Chris Uche, informed the court that they had already filed multiple processes, including a preliminary objection, a counter-affidavit, and a written address, all seeking the dismissal of the suit.

Uche told Justice Peter Lifu that the defence only became aware of the case through media reports and had to act swiftly, given the implications of the claims on the former president’s political future.

He also criticised the filing of the suit, describing it as unnecessary and surprising, especially since similar issues around Jonathan’s eligibility, according to him, had already been determined by the Court of Appeal in earlier proceedings.

Jonathan’s legal team, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the case in its entirety.

However, counsel to the plaintiff, Ndubuisi Ukpai, told the court that he had just been served with Jonathan’s legal documents and requested additional time to properly respond to the arguments raised.

After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Lifu adjourned the matter to May 11 at 2:00 p.m. for the hearing of the preliminary objection and the substantive suit.

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The court also ordered that hearing notices be served on INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation to ensure their participation in the proceedings.

The case has drawn attention due to its potential political implications, as it seeks to determine whether Jonathan, who previously served as Nigeria’s president, is constitutionally eligible to contest another presidential election cycle.

The lawsuit adds another layer of legal and political debate ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the court now expected to first rule on the preliminary objections before proceeding to the substantive issues.

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