Supreme Court Dismisses Case Against Jonathan’s Eligibility To Re-contest In 2015

The Supreme Court ‎has dismissed the appeal filed by a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Umar Ardo, challenging the decision of the court of appeal which stopped him from joining in the lawsuit challenging President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility to re-contest in 2015.
The dismissal was sequel to an oral application by counsel to Ardo, Dr Amuda Kannike, seeking to withdraw the appeal.

In dismissing the appeal, the panel of seven justices led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Mahmud, said the appellant had ‎no business joining in the appeal challenging Jonathan’s eligibility, as no law stopped him from participating in the just concluded convention of the party.
A litigant, Cyriacus Njoku, had earlier approached an Abuja High Court to stop President Jonathan from re-contesting in 2015, but had his suit dismissed on the ground that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain it.
Unsatisfied, Njoku approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision of the lower court.
Attempts by Mr Umar Ardo t to join in the suit were denied on ground that he did not show a reasonable interest that could have warranted his joinder.