Former President Goodluck Jonathan has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a lawyer seeking to bar him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Jonathan, through his counsel Chris Uche (SAN), filed a notice of preliminary objection, counter-affidavit, and written address on May 5, 2026, urging Justice Peter Lifu to throw out the case.
Uche told the court that the processes were filed urgently after the matter came to their attention via the media, given its significance regarding the former president’s eligibility.
The senior advocate described the suit as unfortunate, noting that a similar matter had already been decided by the Federal High Court and affirmed by the Court of Appeal.
Plaintiff’s counsel, Ndubuisi Ukpai, informed the court that the matter was for mention and that he had just been served. He requested additional time to respond.
Justice Lifu adjourned proceedings to May 11, 2026, for hearing of Jonathan’s objection and the substantive suit.
The judge also directed that hearing notices be served on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), who were not represented in court.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, was filed by Abuja-based lawyer Johnmary Jideobi.
He is asking the court to declare Jonathan constitutionally ineligible to run again and to issue a perpetual injunction restraining him from presenting himself as a candidate to any political party.
Jideobi also seeks to bar INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a nominated candidate.
Jonathan is listed as the first defendant, with INEC and the AGF as the second and third defendants, respectively.
The development comes amid growing speculation about Jonathan’s potential return to the presidential race in 2027.
