The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi SAN, aligned with former President Goodluck Jonathan in urging a Federal High Court, Abuja, to dismiss a suit by an Abuja-based lawyer seeking to disqualify the former from contesting the 2027 Presidential election.
Justice Peter Lifu, at the Monday proceedings, fixed May 26 for composite judgement, which would include a ruling on the application by the plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi, asking him to recuse himself.
In the originating summons, Jideobi requested the disqualification of the former president from 2027 presidential poll. He argued that Jonathan had exhausted the constitutional limit allowed for a president, having completed the tenure of the late ZwaaaaaæææaæaæaæaaaaaaaaæaaæaaßsssaasawaaaszzZZZ Umaru Musa Yar’Adua before serving another full term after the 2011 elections.
He also brought an application, asking the Judge to recuse himself in the matter for alleged bias, because the court shortened their 14 days requirement to reply to Jonathan’s counter affidavit and preliminary objection.
Earlier, counsel to Jonathan, Chris Uche SAN, in arguing both his counter affidavit and preliminary objection, asked the court to dismiss the suit with a cost of N50 million.
He cited two previous judgements such as the Federal High Court between Andy Solomon and Jonathan; and that of Court of Appeal between Cyracus Njoku and Jonathan, which he said were dismissed.
Uche further submitted that the amendment to the Section 137(3) of the Constitution, which bars officials who had sworn to an oath previously for more than twice, from seeking the same office, cannot be applied retroactively against Jonathan, who contested in 2015.
He argued that Jideobi was trying to weaponise litigation as a means of political exclusion when the Nigerian constitution grants every qualified citizen the right to seek for the highest office in the land.
He expanded that for Jideobi to have locus, he must demonstrate how it affects him directly, and show he is a registered voter to show he is interested in who governs him.
Similarly, the Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law of the Ministry of Justice, Dr Maimuna Lamin Shiru, asked the court to dismiss Jideobi’s claim in its entirety.
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