Former President Goodluck Jonathan and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), have formally asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a lawsuit seeking to bar the former president from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
In court filings and arguments presented today, counsel to Jonathan, Chris Uche (SAN), urged the court to strike out the suit filed by Abuja-based lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, describing it as lacking merit, an abuse of court process, and an attempt to use litigation for political exclusion. Uche argued that the plaintiff has no locus standi and that no cause of action has crystallized. He further submitted that constitutional amendments limiting presidential terms cannot be applied retroactively to Jonathan’s circumstances.
The AGF’s representative, Dr. Maimuna Lamin Shiru, equally prayed the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety.
The plaintiff contends that Jonathan is ineligible under Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), having been sworn in as President on May 6, 2010, following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and again on May 29, 2011, after winning the general election.
Jonathan’s legal team countered by referencing previous judgments in similar suits that were dismissed, emphasizing that qualified Nigerians should not be barred from seeking elective office through frivolous litigation.
Justice Peter Lifu has fixed May 26, 2026, for a composite judgment on the matter, which will also address the plaintiff’s application asking the judge to recuse himself from the case.
Quote from Counsel to Jonathan, Chris Uche (SAN): “He has no locus standi to bring this action… We urge the court to dismiss the suit and award substantial costs against the plaintiff.”
This development underscores ongoing legal and constitutional debates around eligibility for public office in Nigeria as the nation looks toward the 2027 general elections.