Elections 2015: Why Jonathan May Not Contest In 2015

President Goodluck Jonathan may not contest for the 2015 presidential election if the Supreme Court finds him ineligible to do so.

The Court, yesterday, fixed December 16 to commence hearing on the suit filed before it by a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from Adamawa State, Dr. Umar Ardo, through his lawyer, Dr. A. Amuda Kannike, seeking to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from vying for re-election next year.

The President’s lawyer Mr. Ade Okeaya-Inneh, SAN, told the court that he has already supplied before it, several legal authorities backing his re-election bid. He argued that Ardo has no strong case against Jonathan, as the 1999 constitution permits him to go for a second tenure in office.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through its lawyer Mr. C. I. Paul, yesterday, applied for a short time to file its response to the suit, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), told the apex court that it would remain neutral and abide by whatever decision the court will take on the contentious issue.

Justice Tanko Mohammed, while adjourning the case, gave all the parties seven days to file and exchange their written arguments.

Ardo, who wants the court to stop President Jonathan from contesting in 2015, is further challenging the refusal of the Abuja Division of the Appeal Court to join him as a party in the suit filed against Jonathan by another member of the PDP, Mr. Cyriacus Njoku.

He had insisted before the court that he had enough evidence to prove that President Jonathan lacks the legal backing to remain in office beyond 2015.