By Our Correspondent
National News – A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday adjourned until May 11, 2026, a suit seeking to stop former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Peter Lifu postponed proceedings after the plaintiff’s lawyer, Ndubuisi Ukpai, requested more time to respond to a preliminary objection filed by the defence team.
The case has continued to spark debate over Jonathan’s constitutional eligibility for another presidential bid.
During the hearing, Jonathan’s counsel, Chris Uche (SAN), told the court he only became aware of the matter through media reports before taking steps to file the necessary legal processes.
He also questioned why the issue was resurfacing, arguing that courts had previously ruled on similar matters concerning Jonathan’s eligibility under the 1999 Constitution.
The Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation, listed as respondents in the suit, were absent from the proceedings.
After listening to submissions from lawyers present, Justice Lifu ordered that hearing notices be properly served on all parties before the next court date.
The suit was filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who asked the court to declare Jonathan ineligible to contest the 2027 presidential election.
He also sought an order restraining the former president from presenting himself to any political party as a presidential candidate and preventing INEC from accepting or publishing his name for the election.
According to the plaintiff, Jonathan already completed the constitutional limit for the presidency after serving out the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010 and later winning a fresh four-year mandate in 2011.
The plaintiff argued that another presidential victory would amount to Jonathan taking the oath of office for a third time, allegedly violating constitutional provisions.
The legal battle is expected to continue on May 11 as the court examines the constitutional interpretation surrounding Jonathan’s potential 2027 ambition.
