A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday postponed hearing in a suit challenging the eligibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election, fixing May 11, 2026, for further proceedings.
The adjournment was granted by Justice Peter Lifu after counsel to the plaintiff, Ndubuisi Ukpai, informed the court that he had just been served with a preliminary objection from the defence and required additional time to prepare a response.
The case centres on whether Jonathan can lawfully seek another term as president under the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
At the hearing, Jonathan’s lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN), told the court that he first became aware of the suit through reports in the media before taking steps to file the necessary legal processes on behalf of the former president.
Uche further argued that the issue of Jonathan’s eligibility had already been addressed in earlier judgments delivered by the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.
He questioned the basis for reopening the matter, insisting that the legal position had previously been settled.
The Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation, who are listed as respondents in the suit, were absent from the proceedings and had no legal representatives in court.
Following submissions by counsel, Justice Lifu directed that hearing notices be served on all parties before the next sitting.
The suit was filed by Abuja-based legal practitioner Johnmary Jideobi, who is seeking a declaration that Jonathan is constitutionally barred from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
The plaintiff also asked the court to restrain the former president from seeking nomination from any political party and to prevent INEC from accepting or publishing his name as a candidate.
According to the suit, Jonathan had already utilised the constitutional limit for the office after completing the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua in 2010 and subsequently serving a full four-year term after winning the 2011 election.
In a supporting affidavit deposed to by Emmanuel Agida, the plaintiff argued that the action became necessary following speculations that Jonathan might return to the presidential race in 2027.
He maintained that allowing the former president to contest again would amount to taking the oath of office for a third time, contrary to constitutional provisions.
The court had earlier, on April 28, ordered that hearing notices be issued to all respondents after observing that some parties had yet to file their responses.
The matter is expected to return before the court on May 11 as legal arguments over Jonathan’s political future continue to draw public attention.
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