Court Adjourns Atiku’s Eligibility Suit Against Tinubu

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned further proceedings until September 28 in a suit filed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar seeking to prevent President Bola Tinubu from contesting the 2027 presidential election over an allegedly forged National Youth Service Corps certificate.

The case, filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, was brought by Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, alongside the ADC as co-plaintiff. President Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress and the Independent National Electoral Commission were listed as the first, second and third defendants respectively.

Atiku is asking the court to determine whether Tinubu should be disqualified from participating in the 2027 presidential election based on allegations surrounding a certificate submitted to INEC. The former vice president claims that the NYSC discharge certificate attached to Tinubu’s electoral documents carries the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle” rather than the President’s actual name.

According to the case filed before the court, Atiku maintains that the certificate does not belong to Tinubu and that it was presented to INEC as an authentic document. He further alleges that the same document had been used in connection with Tinubu’s political activities since his 1999 bid for the Lagos State governorship.

The former vice president wants the court to determine whether the alleged presentation of the certificate amounts to a violation of the constitutional provisions governing the qualifications of candidates seeking the office of president. He is also asking the court to declare that Tinubu breached the relevant provisions by submitting the disputed certificate to INEC.

Among the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs is an order preventing Tinubu and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election because the President allegedly submitted a forged certificate to the electoral commission. Atiku is relying on provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2026 in making his case.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, lawyers representing Tinubu appeared before the court. However, Atiku’s legal team informed the judge that the President had not been personally served with the originating processes. The plaintiffs’ lawyer said his client preferred personal service because of the nature of the case, or wanted the court to authorise substituted service.

Counsel representing Tinubu told the court that he had been authorised by the President to appear on his behalf. INEC’s lawyer also argued that the appearance of Tinubu’s counsel should be enough to establish that the President had been properly represented in the proceedings.

INEC further urged the court to deal with the case quickly, noting that more than two weeks had passed since the suit was filed. The electoral commission also indicated that it was prepared to submit its defence within 10 days.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, who presided over the matter, said the court could not determine how the plaintiffs should conduct their case. He consequently adjourned the matter until September 28 for further proceedings.

The judge also warned all parties and their lawyers against discussing the details of the case in the media or on social media. He said the proceedings should be handled within the court and warned that lawyers could face serious consequences if their clients discussed the pending matter publicly.

The case comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general election, with Atiku and other opposition figures seeking to build a political platform capable of challenging the APC and Tinubu at the polls. The outcome of the suit could therefore have implications for the emerging presidential contest if the court eventually rules on the eligibility questions raised by the plaintiffs.