RismadarVoice Reporters, May 8, 2026
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has challenged a lawsuit seeking to prevent him from contesting in the 2027 presidential election, arguing that the matter had already been settled by the courts.
At the Federal High Court in Abuja, Jonathan’s legal team, led by senior advocate Chris Uche, informed the court that the former president had filed a conditional appearance, notice of preliminary objection, counter-affidavit, and written address on May 5, 2026, urging the court to dismiss the suit.
According to Uche, Jonathan only became aware of the case through media reports, prompting his legal team to respond swiftly because of the constitutional and political implications surrounding his eligibility for the next presidential election.
The senior lawyer also described the suit as unnecessary, maintaining that the issue of Jonathan’s eligibility had previously been determined by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Ndubuisi Ukpai, told the court that the matter was scheduled for mention but noted that he had just been served with Jonathan’s legal processes.
Presiding judge, Justice Lifu, subsequently adjourned the case until May 11, 2026, for the hearing of Jonathan’s objection as well as the substantive suit. The court also directed that hearing notices be issued and served on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), who are listed as the second and third defendants respectively.
The suit was filed by Abuja-based lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who is asking the court to restrain Jonathan from participating in the 2027 presidential election.
In his application, Jideobi urged the court to issue a perpetual injunction barring the former president from seeking nomination from any political party for the election. He also asked the court to stop INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a validly nominated candidate for the poll.
However, according to observers, the case has reignited debate over the constitutional interpretation of presidential tenure limits and whether Jonathan, who completed the term of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua before winning a fresh mandate in 2011, remains eligible to seek the presidency again.
