Jonathan asks court to throw out lawsuit seeking to bar him from 2027 race

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a lawsuit seeking to bar him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

At Friday’s proceedings before Justice Peter Lifu, Jonathan’s lawyer, Chris Uche, said the defence had filed a conditional appearance, preliminary objection, counter-affidavit and written address on May 5.

Uche told the court that Jonathan became aware of the case through media reports, prompting an urgent response because the suit questions the former president’s eligibility to run in the next election.

He argued that the case should not have been filed, saying the issue had already been determined by the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in earlier proceedings.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Ndubuisi Ukpai, said the matter was scheduled for mention and that he had only just been served with Jonathan’s filings. He requested more time to respond.

Justice Lifu adjourned the case to May 11 for hearing on Jonathan’s objection and the substantive suit. The court also directed that hearing notices be served on the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney General of the Federation, who are listed as second and third defendants.

The suit was filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who is asking the court to prevent Jonathan from participating in the 2027 presidential election.

In the case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, Jideobi is seeking a perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from seeking nomination from any political party for another presidential contest.

He is also asking the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate in the election.

The suit, filed on October 6, 2025, names Jonathan as the first defendant, alongside INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation.