The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday adjourned a suit filed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar seeking to bar President Bola Tinubu from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Inyang Ekwo fixed September 28, 2026, for further mention of the matter after Atiku’s legal team reported that they had been unable to personally serve the President with the originating summons.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, was instituted by Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with the party listed as the second plaintiff. President Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were named as the first, second, and third defendants respectively.
At the heart of the case is the allegation that Tinubu submitted a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate to INEC. According to the plaintiffs, the certificate bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle,” which differs from the President’s known name, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. They contend that the document was presented in connection with both the 2023 and 2027 presidential elections and does not belong to Tinubu.
Relying on Section 137(1)(j) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which disqualifies any person who presents a forged certificate to INEC from contesting the office of President, as well as other constitutional and Electoral Act provisions, Atiku and the ADC are asking the court to determine Tinubu’s eligibility and to issue an order disqualifying him and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election.
When the case was called on Tuesday, counsel to Atiku, Joseph Onu, informed the court of the difficulty in effecting personal service on the President. Senior Advocate of Nigeria Omosanya Popoola, who appeared for Tinubu, offered to accept the court processes on the President’s behalf. However, Atiku’s lawyer insisted on a written undertaking confirming that Popoola had the necessary mandate. Attempts by INEC’s counsel, Alex Izinyon, SAN, to persuade the court to allow service through Tinubu’s lawyer so that the case could proceed were unsuccessful.
Justice Ekwo declined to dictate how the plaintiffs should conduct their case and adjourned the matter to enable proper service. The judge also warned parties against discussing details of the pending suit in the media, indicating that the court would take drastic action against any breach.
The development marks an early procedural setback for the suit, which was filed last week. Political observers note that eligibility challenges remain a recurring feature of Nigeria’s pre-election landscape, particularly as the 2027 general elections approach.
Further proceedings are scheduled for September 28, 2026.
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