Fresh Twist In 2027 Race As Jonathan Battles Legal Move To Disqualify Him

Jonathan, through his lawyer, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), challenged the case on Friday during proceedings before Justice Peter Lifu.

The suit was instituted by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who is seeking a court order preventing the former President from presenting himself to any political party as a presidential aspirant ahead of the 2027 election.

At the resumed hearing, Uche informed the court that Jonathan had already filed a conditional appearance, a notice of preliminary objection, a counter-affidavit, and a written address in response to the suit.

He stated that the legal documents were filed on May 5 and urged the court to dismiss the case.

According to him, Jonathan’s legal team only became aware of the matter through media reports and moved swiftly to respond because of the significance of the issue.

Uche noted that the suit concerns Jonathan’s constitutional eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.

The senior advocate also argued that the matter had already been decided by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, making the fresh suit unnecessary.

He described it as surprising that a lawyer would file a case on an issue that had allegedly been settled by the courts.

Earlier, counsel to the plaintiff, Ndubuisi Ukpai, told the court that the matter was scheduled for mention but explained that he had only just received Jonathan’s legal processes and needed time to respond.

Following the submissions, Justice Lifu adjourned the case until May 11 at 2 p.m. for the hearing of Jonathan’s preliminary objection alongside the substantive suit.

The court also directed that hearing notices be issued and served on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation, who are listed as the second and third defendants respectively.

Jideobi’s suit seeks to bar Jonathan from participating in the 2027 presidential race on constitutional grounds.

The plaintiff is asking the court to issue a perpetual injunction restraining the former President from seeking nomination under any political party for the election.

He also urged the court to stop INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a validly nominated presidential candidate.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, names Jonathan as the first defendant, while INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation are listed as second and third defendants.