Former President Goodluck Jonathan has formally opposed a lawsuit seeking to stop him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
At proceedings before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, Jonathan’s lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN), informed the court that the former president had already filed all necessary legal documents challenging the suit.
According to Uche, the defence team submitted a conditional appearance, preliminary objection, counter-affidavit and written address on May 5, urging the court to dismiss the case.
He explained that Jonathan’s legal team moved quickly after learning about the suit through media reports.
Uche argued that the issue of Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the presidency again had already been settled by previous court decisions, including a judgment of the Court of Appeal.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Ndubuisi Ukpai, however, told the court that he had only just received the former president’s response and needed time to study the documents and file a reply.
Following arguments from both parties, Justice Lifu adjourned the matter until May 11 for hearing on the preliminary objection as well as 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, both of whom were absent from court.
The suit was filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who is seeking an order permanently barring Jonathan from participating in the 2027 presidential election.
Specifically, the plaintiff asked the court to restrain the former president from presenting himself to any political party as a presidential candidate. He also requested an order preventing INEC from recognising or publishing Jonathan’s name as a validly nominated candidate.
Filed on October 6, 2025, the suit lists Jonathan as the first defendant, while INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation were joined as co-defendants.
At the centre of the legal dispute is whether Jonathan, having taken the oath of office twice as president, is still constitutionally qualified to seek another term under Sections 1 and 137(3) of the Nigerian Constitution.
The plaintiff argued that INEC lacks the constitutional authority to accept Jonathan’s nomination for the 2027 election or any future presidential contest.
He also sought an order compelling the Attorney-General of the Federation to ensure compliance with any judgment delivered by the court.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, Emmanuel Agida described the plaintiff as a defender of constitutionalism and the rule of law who approached the court to prevent what he described as a potential constitutional violation.
The affidavit recalled that Jonathan first became president on May 6, 2010, following the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, after serving as vice-president. It also noted that Jonathan later won the 2011 presidential election and completed a full term in office.
According to the affidavit, recent media reports suggested that Jonathan may be considering a return to the presidential race in 2027.
The plaintiff maintained that by completing Yar’Adua’s unexpired tenure and later serving a full elected term, Jonathan had already exhausted the constitutional limit allowed for a president.
He warned that if the court failed to intervene promptly, a political party could nominate Jonathan as its candidate for the 2027 general election, potentially creating constitutional disputes over presidential tenure limits and eligibility.
On the issue of legal standing, the plaintiff argued that, as a lawyer, he had a duty to prevent constitutional violations and uphold the rule of law, stressing that the suit was filed in the public interest.
He urged the court to grant all the reliefs sought in order to protect the supremacy of the Constitution and safeguard Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
Elijah Adeyemi
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