By Our Reporter
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until September 28 a suit filed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar seeking to disqualify President Bola Tinubu from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, was filed by Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with the party as the second plaintiff.
President Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are listed as the first, second and third defendants respectively.
Atiku’s case is based on allegations that Tinubu submitted a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate to INEC in support of his qualification for the presidency.
In an affidavit filed before the court, Atiku alleged that the disputed certificate bore the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle”, which he claimed was not the President’s correct name.
He argued that the document was not genuinely issued to Tinubu and amounted to the presentation of false information to INEC.
Atiku further alleged that the certificate had been used by Tinubu since 1999 when he contested the Lagos State governorship election.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to determine whether the alleged presentation of the certificate violated constitutional provisions governing eligibility for the presidency.
They are also seeking an order stopping Tinubu and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election on the grounds of the alleged forgery.
When the matter came up before Justice Inyang Ekwo on Tuesday, a legal team led by Omosanya Popoola announced appearance for Tinubu.
However, Atiku’s lawyer, Joseph Onu, told the court that the plaintiffs had been unable to personally serve the President with the originating processes.
Popoola said Tinubu had authorised him to represent him, but Onu insisted that the nature of the case required caution in effecting service.
He said the plaintiffs would accept service through Tinubu’s counsel if there was a written undertaking confirming the President’s authorisation.
INEC’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Alex Iziyon, disagreed, arguing that the appearance of Tinubu’s lawyer was sufficient evidence that the President was aware of the proceedings.
INEC urged the court to expedite the case, noting that more than 17 days had elapsed since the suit was filed. The electoral body said it was ready to file its defence within 10 days.
Justice Ekwo, after hearing the arguments, held that the court could not dictate to the plaintiffs how they should conduct their case.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until September 28 for further proceedings.
He also cautioned the parties and their lawyers against discussing the details of the case in the media while the matter remains before the court.
