₦airaland Forum

“Court To Rule On Bid To Stop Jonathan From 2027 Race” — Ex-President Seeks Dismissal, ₦50m Cost Against Lawyer

Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja will tomorrow, May 26, deliver judgment in a suit filed by an Abuja-based lawyer seeking to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

The trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, had on May 18 fixed tomorrow for composite judgment in the suit, which will include a ruling on the application by the plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi, asking him to recuse himself.

In the originating summons, which has Jonathan, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as 1st to 3rd defendants, Jideobi requested, among others, that the court 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 President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Jideobi argued that Jonathan had exhausted the constitutional limit allowed for a president, having completed the tenure of the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua before serving another full term after the 2011 election.

In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, Emmanuel Agida, who deposed on behalf of Jideobi, averred that Jonathan was sworn in as President on May 6, 2010, following Yar’Adua’s death, and took another oath on May 29, 2011, after winning the election.

When the matter came up on May 18, Jideobi brought an application asking the judge to recuse himself over alleged bias, because the court shortened the plaintiff’s 14-day requirement to reply to Jonathan’s counter-affidavit and preliminary objection.

Earlier, counsel to the former President, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), in arguing both his counter-affidavit and preliminary objection, asked the court to dismiss the suit with a cost of N50 million.

He cited two previous judgments, including the Federal High Court case between Andy Solomon and Jonathan, and that of the Court of Appeal between Cyracus Njoku and Jonathan, which he said were dismissed.

The senior lawyer further submitted that the amendment to Section 137(3) of the Constitution, which bars officials who have previously sworn to an oath more than twice from seeking the same office, cannot be applied retrospectively against Jonathan, who contested in 2015.

He argued that Jideobi was trying to weaponise litigation as a means of political exclusion when the Nigerian Constitution grants every qualified citizen the right to seek the highest office in the land.

“He has no locus standi to bring this action, and no cause of action has crystallised,” he told the court, adding that for Jideobi to have locus, he must demonstrate how it affects him directly and show that he is a registered voter to establish his interest in who governs him.

Similarly, the Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law at the Ministry of Justice, Dr Maimuna Lamin Shiru, asked the court to dismiss Jideobi’s claim in its entirety.

In his objection, the plaintiff’s counsel, Ndubuisi Ukpai, submitted that being a registered voter is not a condition for bringing the suit before the court, while urging the court to dismiss the objections and counter-affidavits of Jonathan and the Ministry of Justice.

It would be recalled that the trial judge had, on May 15, rebuked the plaintiff and his lawyer, Ndubuisi Ukpai, over lack of diligence in pursuing the suit.

The judge, who described the attitude of the plaintiff and his lawyer as “unacceptable” due to continued delays, awarded a N1 million fine against the plaintiff in favour of the former President.

Justice Lifu ordered the plaintiff, who filed the suit on October 6, 2025, and had not deemed it fit to serve, to be granted a grace of two hours from then, that is 10:30 a.m., to serve all processes on INEC and the AGF.

The 2nd and 3rd defendants were ordered to file and serve their responses, if any, before 11 a.m. on Monday, May 18, 2026.

By consent of counsel, the suit was adjourned to May 18, 2026, at 12 noon for definite hearing of the originating summons and all pending applications.

The judge, who observed that Jideobi filed the suit since October 6, 2025, expressed surprise that he had yet to serve INEC and the AGF six months later.

He also noted that counsel for the former President (1st defendant), Chief Chris Uche, SAN, told the court on May 8 that they only became aware of the suit through the media and proceeded to file and serve their processess

The judge further observed that on May 11, neither Jideobi nor his lawyer was in court despite the hearing being fixed for 2 p.m. at the instance of the plaintiff’s counsel.

He further noted that although Uche requested a N5 million cost, the request was not granted in the interest of fair hearing.

“On May 11, this court refused to grant the 1st defendant’s application for a cost of N5 million. Today, it is crystal clear that the plaintiff did not serve the originating summons on the 2nd and 3rd defendants since October 6, 2025.

“This case is for hearing today, and the hearing has been frustrated or aborted due to the tardiness of the plaintiff, who is a lawyer by training and calling. Hearing cannot go on now. Consequently, I hold that punishment should lie where the fault is.

“I hereby award the cost of N1 million against the plaintiff but in favour of the 1st defendant only. I so ruled,” Justice Lifu held.

https://thenigerialawyer.com/court-to-rule-on-bid-to-stop-jonathan-from-2027-race-ex-president-seeks-dismissal-%e2%82%a650m-cost-against-lawyer/

It is of no use.
Make e come receive the beating of his life
Drunkard no dey learn with mere words


Jonathan
Atiku
Obi
Kwankwaso
All combined cant match the Jagaban.

Noted.


Like play like play, Jonathan wan use style disgrace himself.

Jonathan better nor allow those pipu to drag him around like TIGER GENERATOR. He's NOT ELIGIBLE to RIN/CONTEST.

A Federal High Court in Akure ruled in March 2026 that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa cannot contest again in 2028 because doing so would make him exceed the constitutional 8-year limit for governors.... So maybe we should be expecting this in Jonathan's case... But I want him to run... He'll get alot of votes even from the north... He just needs someone to finance him

Bobloco:
https://thenigerialawyer.com/court-to-rule-on-bid-to-stop-jonathan-from-2027-race-ex-president-seeks-dismissal-%e2%82%a650m-cost-against-lawyer/

IF GEJ Just dey show say him be pushover

MaziObinnaokija:
Jonathan better nor allow those pipu to drag him around like TIGER GENERATOR. He's NOT ELIGIBLE to RIN/CONTEST.

He should just make a statement saying he is not contesting. A former president letting APC use and disrespect him anyhow since 2014 till date

Jonathan is Shamelessly working for Tinubu and APC

Akioyib0:
Jonathan is Shamelessly working for Tinubu and APC

Lies.. Gej is working with NDC... Trust me

OneCandleAway:
He should just make a statement saying he is not contesting. A former president letting APC use and disrespect him anyhow since 2014 till date

how can you say Jonathan is being used by APC? When Jonathan supported the orchestra of his downfall Atiku with his running mate obi in 2019...he was not being used then... Now he is showing interest of running and you're saying he is being used... Anybody wey no support una... Dem dey use am ni.... Kai

BREAKING:

Federal High Court siting in Abuja dismisses the suit seeking to disqualify former president Goodluck Jonathan from running for office of the president in 2027 for being frivolous, speculative and lacking in merit. Hon Justice Lifu while delivering the judgement awards the cost of N20m to the plaintiff in favour of the first defendant (Goodluck Jonathan) and N1m in favour of the 2nd defendant (the Attorney General of the Federation).

Akioyib0:
Jonathan is Shamelessly working for Tinubu and APC

So shameful. The party that ganged up against him to ridicule his administration back in 2014/2015

Make them leave GEJ alone jare!

He will just pull some votes and help BAT to win!