Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan has formally challenged a lawsuit seeking to stop him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
The matter came up on Friday May 8 before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Jonathan’s legal team asked the court to dismiss the case filed against him.
Jonathan’s lawyer, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, told the court that the former president had already filed several legal processes in response to the suit.
According to him, the defence entered a conditional appearance and submitted a preliminary objection, counter affidavit and written address challenging the case.
Uche explained that Jonathan only became aware of the suit through media reports, forcing his legal team to act quickly because of the weight of the issues raised in the case.
The senior advocate argued that the matter was surprising because courts had previously ruled on similar issues concerning Jonathan’s eligibility to seek office again.
He maintained that the suit lacked merit and should not proceed further.Counsel to the plaintiff, Ndubuisi Ukpai, however, told the court that he had just been served with Jonathan’s court documents and needed time to study and respond to them.
Following submissions from both sides, Justice Lifu adjourned the case until May 11 for hearing of both the preliminary 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, who were listed as defendants in the case but were absent in court.
The suit was filed by Abuja-based lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, who is asking the court to permanently bar Jonathan from participating in the 2027 presidential election.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, the lawyer argued that Jonathan was not constitutionally qualified to return to the presidential race.
He urged the court to restrain the former president from seeking nomination under any political party for the election.
The plaintiff also asked the court to stop INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate for the poll if presented by any political party.
The case has already generated political debate ahead of the 2027 general election, especially amid growing speculation over Jonathan’s possible return to active politics.
