Former President Goodluck Jonathan and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, have asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit filed by an Abuja-based lawyer seeking to prevent Jonathan from contesting for President in 2027. This development comes as Jonathan failed to appear for the submission of his nomination form, as announced by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Court Proceedings
Justice Peter Lifu has scheduled May 26 for a composite judgment, which will include a ruling on the application by the plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi, requesting the judge to recuse himself. In the originating summons, Jideobi sought a court determination on whether Jonathan is eligible to contest for the presidency, given the combined provisions of sections 1(1), (2), (3), and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution.
Plaintiff's Argument
Jideobi argued that Jonathan has exhausted the constitutional limit for a President, having completed the tenure of the late Umaru Yar'Adua and serving another full term after the 2011 election. An affidavit filed in support of the suit, deposed by Emmanuel Agida on behalf of Jideobi, stated that Jonathan was sworn in as President on May 6, 2010, following Yar'Adua's death, and again on May 29, 2011, after winning the election.
Defense's Response
Counsel to the former President, Chris Uche (SAN), argued both a counter-affidavit and a preliminary objection, asking the court to dismiss the suit with a cost of N50 million. Similarly, the Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law of the Ministry of Justice, Dr Maimuna Shiru, urged the court to dismiss Jideobi's claim entirely.
PDP Faction's Announcement
A faction of the PDP, backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, had announced that Jonathan would be screened as the party's presidential aspirant. However, Jonathan reportedly failed to submit his nomination form as expected. A PDP chieftain and member of the Nyesom Wike faction, Lere Olayinka, disclosed this in a Facebook post, stating that the Turaki-led PDP waited from morning until 4pm for Jonathan to submit a nomination form, but he did not appear. The submission was subsequently postponed indefinitely.
Upcoming Screening
The PDP faction had earlier stated that the screening of all hopefuls would hold by 10am ahead of its forthcoming primaries. A party source confirmed that Jonathan is the sole presidential aspirant to be screened by a 14-member committee.
