Fresh Update on Jonathan’s Presidential contest

 Court Adjourns Suit on Goodluck Jonathan’s 2027 Eligibility After Parties Fail to Appear

ABUJA, Nigeria— A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned a suit challenging former President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election after both the plaintiff and the Independent National Electoral Commission failed to appear in court.

When the case was called on Friday morning, neither the plaintiff’s legal team nor INEC’s counsel was present. With no representation from the key parties, the court could not proceed with the scheduled hearing or entertain preliminary motions. 

The judge expressed dissatisfaction with the development and adjourned proceedings to Monday, May 11, 2026, to allow all parties to appear.

The suit centers on a constitutional dispute over the Fourth Alteration to the 1999 Constitution, signed into law in 2018. The amendment bars anyone who succeeds a president to complete a term from being elected to the office more than once.

The plaintiff argues that since Jonathan completed the term of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and was elected in 2011, another term would exceed the constitutional limit of eight years. 

Supporters of the former president cite a 2022 Federal High Court ruling in Yenagoa that cleared him for future contests. They contend that the 2018 amendment cannot be applied retroactively to a president who served between 2010 and 2015, as it would infringe on “vested rights” established before the law existed.

The adjournment comes amid growing political interest in Jonathan’s possible return. In recent weeks, several civil society and youth groups have called on him to enter the 2027 race, citing a need for “experienced leadership.” While Jonathan has not declared his candidacy, his recent advocacy for electoral reform, including changes to the appointment of the INEC chairman, has fueled speculation about his plans.

Legal analysts say Monday’s hearing will determine whether the case is a relitigation of an already settled matter or a necessary clarification ahead of the 2027 election cycle.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ADC Constitutes National Convention Committees; Imoke, Tambuwal, Utomi, and Others to Lead

Image
 ADC Constitutes National Convention Committees; Imoke, Tambuwal, Utomi, and Others to Lead ​mattersarising6060@gmail.com 9th April, 2026 ABUJA – In preparation for its upcoming National Convention, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced the constitution of several high-powered committees and sub-committees. The move, aimed at ensuring a seamless and successful event, involves a diverse group of prominent political figures, technocrats, and seasoned professionals. ​The National Convention is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. In a statement signed by the National Organising Secretary, Prince Chiedu Idigo, the party also issued a notice for an inaugural meeting of all committees today, Thursday, April 9, at the National Secretariat in Abuja. ​Leadership of the Central Coordination Committee Leading the charge is the National Convention Central Coordination Committee, which will serve as the official coordinating secretariat for the event. The committee ...
Read more

Graduate Breaks Down After Seeing Former Classmate on the Street, What Happened Will Shock You

Image
Mattersarising6060@gmail.com A deeply emotional encounter between two former classmates on a public street has drawn attention to the often-overlooked challenges faced by individuals who drop out of school due to circumstances beyond their control. According to eyewitness accounts, a graduate reportedly broke down in tears after recognizing a former classmate now living in a distressed mental state. Overwhelmed with emotion, the graduate recalled how the individual had once been a source of academic and financial support during their school years. “You were always the one helping me during exams and even supporting me financially. What went wrong?” the graduate was heard asking. In response, the former classmate attributed his current condition to prolonged family challenges, alleging that his stepmother had consistently worked against his progress. The statement was delivered with visible distress, further intensifying the emotional scene. Observers say the incident underscores the co...
Read more

BREAKING: INEC Shelves Nationwide Voter Revalidation Until After 2027 Polls

Image
  Matters Arising 6060   mattersarising6060@gmail.com April 10, 2026. ABUJA— In a significant policy shift, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the postponement of its much-anticipated nationwide voter revalidation exercise. The decision was made during a high-stakes meeting between the Commission and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) held today, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Decision In a press statement signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC confirmed that the revalidation exercise will now take place after the 2027 General Election. While the statement did not explicitly outline the reasons for the delay, the decision has already sparked intense discussions among stakeholders about the preparedness of the voter register for the upcoming elections. What is Voter Revalidation? For those unfamiliar, voter revalidation is essentially the "health check" of Niger...
Read more