2027: Jonathan meets Turaki-led PDP leaders

Turaki was accompanied by members of his working committee and some party leaders.

The meeting was part of ongoing consultations with founding leaders of the PDP on the future of the party.

Speaking on the visit, the spokesman of the PDP Interim National Working Committee, INWC, Ini Ememobong, said they have been engaging strategic stakeholders across the country.

“We have been meeting with different strategic stakeholders. When we think it is appropriate for the media and the public to know the outcome of such meetings, we will make it public,” he said.

He disclosed that the committee had earlier met with former military president Ibrahim Babangida, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Vice President Namadi Sambo.

“So, when the outcome of the meeting is ripe for public consumption, we will surely tell the public what the meeting is all about,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jonathan on Friday challenged a suit filed by a lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, seeking to restrain him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

Jonathan, through his lawyer, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, told Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court Abuja, shortly after the matter was called for hearing, that a letter of conditional appearance, a notice of preliminary objection, a counter affidavit and a written address had been filed on May 5, praying the court to dismiss the case.

He said they got information about the case through the media and hence, the need to file their processes urgently going by the importance of the matter which questions the eligibility of the former President to contest in the next election.

The senior lawyer said it was unfortunate that such a suit is filed by a lawyer who should know more that this same matter had been decided by the Federal High Court up to the Court of Appeal.

Earlier, counsel to the plaintiff, Ndubuisi Ukpai, informed the court that the matter was for mention but he was just being served with Jonathan’s processes.

He said he would need more time to respond.

Justice Lifu adjourned the matter until May 11 by 2pm for hearing of the ex-president’s objection and the substantive suit.

The judge also ordered that hearing notices be issued and served on INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the 2nd and 3rd defendants in the matter.

A lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, had filed the case, praying the court to bar Jonathan from contesting in the 2027 poll.

Citing constitutional grounds, Jideobi urged the court to issue an order of perpetual injunction, restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party in the country for the purpose of contesting in the poll.

He also urged the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting from any political party, Jonathan’s name or publishing same as a duly nominated candidate for the election.