Goodluck Jonathan's 2027 eligibility suit adjourned to May 11, 2026
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
A lawsuit challenging former President Goodluck Jonathan's eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election has been adjourned until May 11, 2026. Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the adjournment after the plaintiff's counsel, Ndubuisi Ukpai, requested more time to respond to a preliminary objection filed by the defense. The suit seeks a court determination on whether Jonathan can lawfully run for president again under the 1999 Constitution. Jonathan's counsel, Chris Uche, stated he learned of the case through media reports and highlighted similar issues previously decided by courts, questioning the resurfacing controversy. The Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation were not represented in court. The suit, filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, asks the court to declare Jonathan constitutionally ineligible and to restrain him from presenting himself as a candidate, and to bar INEC from accepting his name. Jideobi argues that Jonathan has exhausted constitutional term limits, having completed the tenure of the late President Umaru Musa Yar鈥橝dua and served a full four-year term after winning the 2011 election. An affidavit supporting the suit stated the legal action was prompted by reports of Jonathan considering a 2027 presidential bid, contending that a third presidential oath would be unconstitutional.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
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