Former President Goodluck Jonathan officially contested a lawsuit on Friday aimed at blocking him from participating in the 2027 presidential election.
The legal challenge, initiated by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, seeks to prevent the former leader from seeking office again.
Representing Jonathan before Justice Peter Lifu at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, revealed that a preliminary objection and counter-affidavit were filed on May 5, urging the court to throw out the case.
Uche noted that they acted quickly after learning about the suit through media reports, given the high stakes regarding Jonathan’s eligibility.
The senior advocate expressed disappointment that a legal professional would bring forward a case that he argued had already been settled in previous court rulings.
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“It was unfortunate that such a suit is filed by a lawyer who should know more that this same matter had been decided by the Federal High Court up to Court of Appeal,” Uche remarked.
The plaintiff’s counsel, Ndubuisi Ukpai, requested more time to review the documents recently served by Jonathan’s team.
Consequently, Justice Lifu adjourned the proceedings until May 11 at 2 p.m. to hear both the objection and the main suit.
The judge also directed that hearing notices be sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation, who are co-defendants in the matter.
In the lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, Jideobi is asking for a permanent injunction to stop Jonathan from presenting himself as a candidate to any political party.
He also wants the court to forbid INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a nominee for the 2027 polls, citing specific constitutional limitations.
