Post by Arise News (@arisenews)

Jonathan Challenges Suit Over 2027 Poll Eligibility
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‎Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday challenged a suit filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi seeking to bar him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
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‎Jonathan, through his counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, informed Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja shortly after the matter was called for hearing.
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‎Uche told the court that on May 5, they had filed a letter of conditional appearance, notice of preliminary objection, counter-affidavit, and written address, urging dismissal of the suit.
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‎He explained they learned of the case through media reports, prompting urgent filing due to its implications for the former president's eligibility in the upcoming election.
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‎The senior lawyer noted it was unfortunate that a fellow lawyer filed the suit, as the issue had already been decided by the Federal High Court and upheld up to the Court of Appeal.
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‎Earlier, the plaintiff's counsel, Ndubuisi Ukpai, informed the court the matter was listed for mention but he had just been served with Jonathan's processes. He requested more time to respond.
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‎Justice Lifu adjourned the case to May 11 at 2 p.m. for hearing of the ex-president's objection and the substantive suit.
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‎The judge also ordered hearing notices to be issued and served on INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF)—the 2nd and 3rd defendants—who were absent.
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‎Johnmary Jideobi filed the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025 and dated October 6, 2025, praying the court to bar Jonathan from contesting the 2027 poll.
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‎Citing constitutional grounds, Jideobi sought a perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as a candidate.
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‎He also urged the court to restrain INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan's name as a duly nominated candidate from any party.
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‎Jideobi named former President Jonathan as 1st defendant, with INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation as 2nd and 3rd defendants, respectively.

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