A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday adjourned till May 11 a suit seeking to disqualify former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Peter Lifu granted the short adjournment after the plaintiff’s counsel, Ndubuisi Ukpai, requested more time to respond to a preliminary objection recently filed by the defence.
The suit, filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, asks the court to determine whether Jonathan is eligible to run again, arguing that he has exhausted the constitutional two-term limit.
At the heart of the matter is the interpretation of sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution. The plaintiff contends that Jonathan’s ascension to the presidency in 2010 after the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua, followed by his full term after winning the 2011 election, bars him from another contest.
The plaintiff is seeking declarations that Jonathan is ineligible “under any circumstances whatsoever” to contest for the office of President, as well as an order restraining him from presenting himself as a candidate and directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to accept or publish his name.
Counsel to Jonathan, Chris Uche (SAN), informed the court that he became aware of the matter through media reports and was still working to file all necessary processes. He also drew attention to similar eligibility issues previously determined by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation, listed as second and third respondents, were not represented in court,” the report noted.dc048d
After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Lifu ordered that fresh hearing notices be properly served on all respondents before the next sitting.
The case has sparked fresh debate over constitutional term limits and Jonathan’s political future amid growing speculation about his possible return to the presidential race in 2027.
