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The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned a suit challenging former President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election, after key parties failed to appear in court.
Jonathan, through his counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the case for lack of diligent prosecution, following the absence of the plaintiff, lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, at Monday’s hearing.
Also absent were the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), listed as second and third defendants respectively.
Justice Peter Lifu noted that there was no proof that hearing notices were served on INEC and the AGF. He, however, opted to give the parties another opportunity in the interest of justice and adjourned the matter to May 15 for definite hearing, ordering that fresh hearing notices be served on all absent parties.
The plaintiff is seeking to restrain Jonathan from presenting himself as a candidate in any political party for the 2027 election and to stop Independent National Electoral Commission from accepting or publishing his name as a presidential candidate.
He is also asking the court to determine whether, under Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan is still eligible to run for president, arguing that he has already exhausted the constitutional two-term limit.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, it was argued that Goodluck Jonathan first assumed office in 2010 after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and later completed a full elected term after winning the 2011 election.
The plaintiff contends that any further presidential ambition by Jonathan would amount to a third tenure in office, which he argues is unconstitutional and against the spirit of Nigeria’s constitutional order.
Jonathan has previously stated that he is still consulting on whether to join the 2027 presidential race.
