Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has formally challenged a lawsuit seeking to prevent him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
The case was heard on Friday before Justice Peter Lifu at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Jonathan’s legal team urged the court to dismiss the suit.
Jonathan’s counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), informed the court that the former president had already filed several legal documents, including a preliminary objection, counter affidavit and written address opposing the case.
According to Uche, Jonathan only became aware of the suit through media reports, prompting his legal team to respond swiftly because of the significance of the matter.
He argued that similar issues regarding Jonathan’s eligibility had already been decided by the courts in the past and insisted that the current suit lacked merit.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Ndubuisi Ukpai, told the court he had only recently received Jonathan’s legal documents and requested time to study and respond to them.
Following arguments from both sides, Justice Lifu adjourned the matter until May 11 for hearing on the preliminary objection and the substantive suit.
The judge also ordered that hearing notices be served on the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, both listed as defendants but absent from court.
The suit, filed by Abuja-based lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, seeks to permanently bar Jonathan from participating in the 2027 presidential election on the grounds that he is constitutionally ineligible to run again.
The plaintiff also asked the court to stop INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate if nominated by any political party.
The legal battle has intensified political discussions ahead of the 2027 general election amid speculation about Jonathan’s possible return to active politics.
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