A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday fixed May 11, 2026, for further hearing in a suit seeking to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Peter Lifu adjourned the matter after counsel to the plaintiff, Ndubuisi Ukpai, informed the court that he had only recently been served with a preliminary objection filed by the defence and needed time to respond.
The suit, which centres on the constitutional eligibility of Jonathan to seek another term in office, has continued to stir legal arguments over the interpretation of the 1999 Constitution.
At the resumed proceedings, counsel to the former president, Chris Uche (SAN), told the court that he became aware of the case through media reports and had since taken steps to ensure all necessary legal processes were properly filed on behalf of his client.
Uche also argued that similar legal questions regarding Jonathan’s eligibility had previously been resolved by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, wondering why the issue was being revisited.
The Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation, listed as second and third respondents respectively, were absent from the proceedings.
Following submissions by counsel, Justice Lifu ordered that hearing notices be 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 constitutionally barred from participating in the 2027 presidential race.
The plaintiff is also seeking an order restraining the former president from presenting himself to any political party as a presidential candidate, alongside a directive preventing the electoral commission from accepting or publishing his name for the election.
Central to the suit is the interpretation of Sections 1(1), (2) and (3), as well as Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, regarding the maximum tenure allowable for a Nigerian president.
Jideobi argued that Jonathan had already exhausted the constitutional limit after completing the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua following his death in 2010 and subsequently serving a full four-year term after winning the 2011 presidential election.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, Emmanuel Agida, who deposed on behalf of the plaintiff, said the legal action became necessary following reports suggesting Jonathan might consider another presidential bid in 2027.
According to the plaintiff, allowing Jonathan to contest again and possibly emerge victorious would amount to taking the presidential oath of office for a third time, contrary to constitutional provisions.
Justice Lifu had earlier directed that hearing notices be issued to all defendants after observing that some parties had yet to file responses in the matter.
The court is now expected to resume hearing on the case on May 11 as the legal battle over Jonathan’s political future continues.
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