By Our Correspondent
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a lawsuit seeking to stop him from contesting the 2027 presidential election, describing the case as lacking legal merit.
The suit, filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, is challenging Jonathan’s eligibility to run for president again. The plaintiff argues that the former president is constitutionally barred from seeking another term, claiming that his earlier assumption of office in 2010—following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua—and his subsequent election victory in 2011 already count toward the constitutional limit.
According to the suit, allowing Jonathan to contest again would violate provisions of the Nigerian Constitution relating to term limits for the office of the president. The claimant is therefore asking the court to restrain both Jonathan and the Independent National Electoral Commission from accepting or processing any nomination forms from him.
In response, Jonathan’s legal team has urged the court to strike out the case outright. They argue that the interpretation being advanced by the plaintiff is flawed and does not correctly reflect the constitutional provisions governing presidential tenure in Nigeria.
The matter is currently before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, where it is expected to continue as both sides present arguments on the former president’s eligibility ahead of the 2027 general election.
