A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned till May 11, 2026, the suit seeking to disqualify former President, Goodluck Jonathan, from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
News360 Info reports that Justice Peter Lifu adjourned the matter on Friday following an application by the plaintiff’s counsel, Ndubuisi Ukpai.
Ukpai told the court that he was recently served with a preliminary objection filed by the defence and needed time to respond.
The suit is asking the court to determine whether Jonathan can lawfully present himself for another presidential contest under the 1999 Constitution.
However, proceedings took a twist when counsel to Jonathan, Chris Uche (SAN), told the court that he only became aware of the case through media reports.
Uche said he had been working to ensure that all necessary processes on behalf of the former president were properly filed.
He also drew the court’s attention to what he described as similar issues previously determined by the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, questioning why the controversy over Jonathan’s eligibility had resurfaced.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), listed as second and third respondents, were not represented in court.
After listening to submissions from parties, Justice Lifu adjourned the case and ordered that hearing notices be properly served on all respondents before the next date.
The suit was filed by a lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, who is asking the court to declare Jonathan constitutionally ineligible to contest the presidency again.
He is also seeking an order restraining the former president from presenting himself to any political party as a candidate in the 2027 general election.
Jideobi further asked the court to stop INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.
At the centre of the case is whether Jonathan is barred by the Constitution from contesting again after completing the tenure of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010 and serving a full term after winning the 2011 election.
The plaintiff asked the court to determine “whether in view of the combined provisions of sections 1(1), (2) and (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, the 1st defendant is eligible, under any circumstances whatsoever, to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, Emmanuel Agida, who deposed on behalf of the plaintiff, said the action became necessary following reports that Jonathan was considering another presidential bid in 2027.
According to the plaintiff, allowing Jonathan to contest and possibly win would mean taking the presidential oath of office for a third time, which he argued is prohibited by the Constitution.
Justice Lifu had earlier, on April 28, ordered that hearing notices be issued and served on all defendants after noting that some parties had yet to file responses.
