Former President Goodluck Jonathan has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a lawyer seeking to bar him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

Jonathan, through his counsel Chris Uche (SAN), filed a notice of preliminary objection, counter-affidavit, and written address on May 5, 2026, urging Justice Peter Lifu to throw out the case.

Uche told the court that the processes were filed urgently after the matter came to their attention via the media, given its significance regarding the former president’s eligibility.

The senior advocate described the suit as unfortunate, noting that a similar matter had already been decided by the Federal High Court and affirmed by the Court of Appeal.

Plaintiff’s counsel, Ndubuisi Ukpai, informed the court that the matter was for mention and that he had just been served. He requested additional time to respond.

Justice Lifu adjourned proceedings to May 11, 2026, for hearing of Jonathan’s objection and the substantive suit.

The judge also directed that hearing notices be served on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), who were not represented in court.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, was filed by Abuja-based lawyer Johnmary Jideobi.

He is asking the court to declare Jonathan constitutionally ineligible to run again and to issue a perpetual injunction restraining him from presenting himself as a candidate to any political party.

Jideobi also seeks to bar INEC from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a nominated candidate.

Jonathan is listed as the first defendant, with INEC and the AGF as the second and third defendants, respectively.

The development comes amid growing speculation about Jonathan’s potential return to the presidential race in 2027.

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Funso Doherty, a former governorship candidate in Lagos State, has resigned his membership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

In a statement issued on Thursday, Doherty said he had hoped the ADC would serve as a vehicle for opposition unity, but that is no longer the case.

“We had hoped that ADC would be the vehicle that would unite the opposition. That is now clearly no longer the case,” the statement read.

Doherty said he made the decision “after due consultation, careful deliberation and prayerful reflection,” adding that he is convinced the NDC is the platform that will enable the delivery of good governance to all citizens.

He contested the 2023 Lagos governorship election under the ADC. He had earlier left the party for the PDP in 2024 before returning to the ADC following the PDP’s leadership crisis.

In April 2026, he declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election on the ADC platform.

The ADC is currently facing a leadership crisis between factions led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala.This latest defection follows the recent movement of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to the NDC.

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The Senate has passed the 2026 Statutory Appropriation Bill for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), approving a total expenditure of N2.285 trillion for the development and administration of the nation’s capital.

The passage was sequel to the presentation and consideration of the harmonised report of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on the FCT.

The report was presented by the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Austin Akobundu, Abia Central, on behalf of the Chairman, Senator Ibrahim Bomai, Yobe Central.

In his presentation, Senator Akobundu, who noted the committees recommended the sum of N2,285 trillion as the FCT statutory budget for 2026 from a projected revenue of N2.385 trillion, explained that the budget comprises N165.7 billion for personnel costs, N378.2 billion for overhead costs, while N1.741 trillion was earmarked for capital projects.

According to him, the budget structure showed that 76.19 per cent of the total allocation would go to capital expenditure, while recurrent expenditure accounted for 23.8 per cent.

Akobundu said the appropriation was in line with constitutional provisions and followed extensive engagements between the joint committees and officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

He said, “The committees met with the minister and other relevant officials of the FCTA and deliberated extensively on the subject matter.”

Senators who contributed during the debate described the budget as “top-notch” and “well-balanced”.

In his remarks, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, who noted that the budget was capable of accelerating infrastructure and security development in Abuja and satellite towns, said, “Mr President the budget is top notch. You know, I am the only one in the history of the legislature in this country that had the opportunity to serve as chairman appropriation committee in the House and in the Senate.

“So when I see a good budget, I know it’s a good budget. It is a budget that’s top-notch. We have to commend the FCT minister for doing a very very good job.

“A budget that you have a total of N2.2 trillion and out of this, N1.7 trillion is going for capital.

“It shows his willingness and determination to continue to show FCT to the admiration of all.”

In his remarks, Senator Abdul Ningi, Bauchi Central, said that the budget was well-packaged and well-balanced considering the observations made by the Senate Committee on FCT last year.

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Operatives of Special Area Rumudomaya police division attached to the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a man simply identified as Goodnews for allegedly defiling his neighbour’s 16-year-old daughter along Apu Road in Rukpokwu in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

A family friend of the victim’s parents, Chidi Obulor, told newsmen on Thursday in Port Harcourt that the incident occurred on Monday, May 4, 2026, when the suspect, who resides in the same compound as the teenager, under the guise of sending her on an errand, tricked the girl into his apartment and had carnal knowledge of her.

Obulor disclosed that “following a formal complaint by the parents of the girl, policemen from the Special Area Rumudomaya went to work and arrested the suspect. The girl was rushed to a hospital where medical examination was conducted on her and treatment is being administered.”

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident and the arrest of the suspect, saying investigation is ongoing.

Agabe stated, “I can confirm the arrest of the suspect by operatives of Special Area Rumudomaya, and investigation has also commenced.”

Meanwhile, a human rights group, the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, has criticised some persons under the umbrella of a particular organisation in the area for attempting to initiate a settlement in the matter.

National Coordinator of the Centre, Prince Wiro, in a voice note sent to our correspondent, stated, “Yes, the victim/parents are the nominal complainants in the matter, but the crime is not only against the victim but also against the state.

“Crimes of this nature are intentional, not a mistake, and when perpetrators escape facing justice by way of settlement, it emboldens others to commit the same crime.”

Wiro called on the police to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident, adding that if the suspect is found culpable, he should be made to face the law.

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President Bola Tinubu on Thursday submitted his presidential Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Tinubu’s nomination forms were submitted at the APC National
Secretariat in Abuja by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima.

Recall that a member of the House of Representatives, James Faleke, picked up the forms on Tinubu’s behalf on Tuesday at the APC national secretariat.

This came after the payment of N100 million to the party.

The forms were presented to Faleke by the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, shortly after the commencement of sales for aspirants seeking the party’s presidential ticket.

The purchase of the forms signifies that Tinubu will be  for a second term in office in 2027.

Meanwhile, the ceremony for the submission of the forms is ongoing at the national secretariat of the party.

Speaking, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the submission indicates that Tinubu has done well enough to contest for a second term in 2027.

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned that 19 states across the country may experience flash flooding.

In an advisory issued on Thursday, NiMet said increased surface runoff and flash flooding could occur during heavy early rains due to dry and hardened soils that prevent water from properly soaking into the ground.

The agency listed the states likely to be affected as Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kwara, Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Delta, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Ondo, and Bayelsa.

NiMet said the possible impacts include flooded roads, traffic disruption, damage to homes, farmlands and infrastructure, blocked drainage systems, power outages, telecommunication disruptions, and increased risks of injuries and water-borne diseases.

The agency advised residents to clear blocked drainages and stay updated with weather and flood alerts.

NiMet also cautioned motorists and pedestrians against driving or walking through flooded areas.

The agency asked relevant authorities and stakeholders to strengthen coordination, preparedness, and emergency response measures to
reduce flood-related risks.

“An informed community is a prepared community. Know the risks and act early,” the advisory reads.

The federal government had warned that 14,118 communities in 33 states and the
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at risk of severe flooding in 2026.

The states include Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna and Kano.

Others are Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara, and the FCT.

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Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has opened applications for its 2026 graduate trainee programme.

In a notice on Thursday, the company said the 18-month programme is designed for “high-potential, vibrant, and enthusiastic initiative-takers” seeking to build careers in Africa’s oil and gas industry.

According to the notice, the programme is open to graduate in technical, technical support, and support service disciplines.

“At Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, we are offering you the opportunity to join our 2026 Graduate Programme, where you will have a chance to learn and grow in a global business environment while
supporting the growth of our organisation,” Dangote refinery said.

For technical roles, applicants must possess a first degre or higher national diploma (HND) in chemical, production, or mining engineering, geological sciences, laboratory sciences, or biochemistry.

For technical support roles, candidates are required to have qualifications in mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, or power engineering disciplines.

The support category is open to graduates with a degree or diploma in accounting and finance, social sciences, humanities, business administration, law, or information technology.

“Minimum of Second-Class Lower/ HND Upper Credit. Must not be above 28 years by May 31, 2026,” the company said.

“APPLY NOW:
https://tinyurl.com/DPRPGraduateTraineeProgramme.”

The refinery said successful applicants would gain hands-on experience across various refinery operations while learning from skilled
professionals.

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Former President Goodluck Jonathan has disclosed that he will embark on consultations over possible participation in the forthcoming 2027 presidential election.

Jonathan stated this on Thursday in Abuja.

The development comes after a group supporters marched to his office calling on him to contest the presidential election.

“It’s only patriotic citizens that build their nations. Unpatriotic citizens will destroy their nation, take the money to anywhere to enjoy their life. So you must be patriotic. And things are very, very clear.

“The key thing we need in this country is peace. So as young people, for most of you here, more than 80% of you are very young people.

“I don’t even know how old some of you were when I was a President, but the key thing is peace in this country, and you will continue to advocate for that, and you continue to advocate for peaceful and credible elections in the country, because if we don’t have peaceful and credible elections, most good citizens will not want to bother get involved in politics.

“And as youths, you will continue to advocate for that. It’s very dear to us peaceful election, and indeed, you, as young people, must continue to be fully involved in the electoral processes, especially your right to vote.

“I’ve observed elections in about 14 or more African countries, some I have been there two times.

“Presidential race is not a computer game, but I heard you, and I will consult widely, but the most important thing is in Nigeria that the young people will have in Nigeria that will plan for our grandchildren,”
Jonathan said.

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Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has defended the reallocation of Jabi Lake, a popular recreation park in Abuja.

In February 2026, the FCT Administration (FCTA) signed a  development agreement with Suburban Broadband Limited and Akida Hills Limited to transform Jabi Lake into a recreational hub.

However, on Sunday, Sarah Omakwu, a senior pastor of Family Worship Centre, Abuja, urged the minister not to allocate Jabi Lake for private development.

Omakwu made the appeal in a video posted on her Instagram page, where she was seen kneeling while addressing the minister.

“I cannot fight the minister of the FCT. I cannot. But I go on my knees as a mother in this land that Jabi Lake Recreation Centre should not be given to anybody,” she said.

Reacting on Wednesday during a media chat in Abuja, Wike dismissed the pastor’s plea, adding that he is not “carried away by such
emotions”.

The minister said the location was previously given to a company which said it would turn it into an entertainment place.

“But they have turned it into shanties. One of these days I went there and said, ‘This can’t be; there is a hotel, and who would come to stay in that hotel when there are shanties all over?’ You don’t know if there are criminals,” Wike said.

He said the allocation had been revoked and would be reassigned to investors with the capacity to develop the site.

The minister said strict conditions would guide the new arrangement.

“You cannot allocate land and leave it for that long with nothing to show. We revoked it. Now we want to give it to people who are ready to develop it,” he said.

“We will reallocate the land with clear conditions. If there is no development within the specified time, we will take it back.

“To the woman who was crying, if she likes, let her call God to come down. What is my business? How does Jabi become hers?

“Is it an individual or government property? We are trying to make sure investors develop this land for the interest of all of us.”

Wike also denied claims that the reallocation was intended to restrict public access to the lake.

“We are not taking anything from the public. We are reclaiming land from those who failed to do what they were supposed to do or who converted it to unauthorised uses,” he said.

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