…As court gives May 15 deadline
Proceedings in a suit seeking to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 Presidential election were on Monday stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja following the absence of the plaintiff and key defendants.
Justice Peter Lifu adjourned the matter until May 15 for hearing after counsel to the plaintiff, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) failed to appear in court.
Only Chris Uche (SAN), counsel to Jonathan, appeared at the resumed proceedings.
Uche urged the court to strike out or dismiss the suit for lack of diligent prosecution, arguing that the plaintiff’s conduct showed a lack of seriousness in pursuing the case.
He noted that Ndubuisi Ukpai, counsel to the plaintiff at the previous sitting, neither attended court nor gave any explanation for his absence. The plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi, a legal practitioner, was also absent.
The senior advocate argued that the plaintiff’s silence followed Jonathan’s preliminary objection challenging the competence of the suit.
According to Uche, having joined issues in the matter, the plaintiff’s failure to prosecute the case made it liable to dismissal. He also asked the court to award N5 million in costs against the plaintiff.
Justice Lifu held that there was no evidence that hearing notices had been served on INEC and the AGF.
The judge said the interest of justice required that the affected parties be given another opportunity to participate in the proceedings.
Although Uche maintained that INEC and the AGF were nominal parties whose absence would not affect the case, the court held that the electoral commission remained a central party in the dispute.
“The court is minded to accommodate the plaintiff and the 2nd and 3rd defendants, who have consistently been absent,” Justice Lifu said while adjourning the matter.
The court ordered that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on the plaintiff, INEC, and the AGF before the next hearing date.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, was filed by Jideobi, who is seeking to stop Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
The plaintiff also asked the court to stop INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.
He asked the court to determine whether, having completed the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and later served a full term after the 2011 election, Jonathan remains eligible to contest again under Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution.
In an affidavit, Emmanuel Agida stated that Jonathan assumed office on May 6, 2010, after Yar’Adua’s death, and later won the 2011 presidential election.
The affidavit said reports of a possible 2027 bid prompted the suit.
The plaintiff argued that Jonathan, having completed the unexpired term of Yar’Adua and served a full term, has reached the constitutional limit of two terms.
He added that without a court order, a political party could nominate Jonathan in violation of the Constitution.
The filing stated that if Jonathan contests and wins in 2027, it would amount to a third oath of office.
The plaintiff said the suit was filed in the public interest to uphold constitutional provisions.
Jonathan has previously said he is consulting on whether to enter the 2027 Presidential race.
