The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until September 28 further proceedings in a suit filed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar challenging President Bola Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, centres on allegations by Atiku that Tinubu submitted a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), instituted the action with the ADC as the second plaintiff.
Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and INEC are listed as the first, second and third defendants respectively.
In his 25-paragraph affidavit filed in support of the suit, Atiku alleged that the NYSC certificate submitted by Tinubu to INEC carried the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle”, which he argued did not correspond with the President’s name.
He told the court that the document was forged and had allegedly been used by Tinubu since his 1999 Lagos State governorship election.
Atiku is asking the court to determine whether the alleged submission of the certificate amounts to a breach of constitutional provisions governing eligibility for the presidency.
He is also seeking an order disqualifying Tinubu and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election on the grounds of the alleged certificate submission.
When the matter came up on Tuesday, a legal team led by Mr Omosanya Popoola announced its appearance for Tinubu.
However, Atiku’s counsel, Mr Joseph Onu, informed the court that his client had not been able to personally serve the President with the originating processes.
Onu argued that, considering the sensitivity of the case, he preferred personal service or an order permitting substituted service.
He said the plaintiffs were unwilling to leave room for technical objections that could affect the proceedings.
Tinubu’s lawyer, however, assured the court that he had been authorised to represent the President.
INEC’s counsel, Dr Alex Iziyon, SAN, also argued that the appearance of Tinubu’s lawyer was sufficient to establish his representation.
INEC urged the court to expedite the proceedings, noting that more than 17 days had elapsed since the suit was filed.
The electoral commission said it was prepared to file its defence within 10 days.
After hearing the submissions, Justice Inyang Ekwo said the court could not dictate to the plaintiffs how they should conduct their case.
The judge consequently adjourned the matter to September 28 for further proceedings.
Justice Ekwo, however, issued a strong warning to the parties and their lawyers against discussing the substance of the case publicly.
He said the matter should be determined in court rather than through traditional or social media platforms.
The judge warned that any lawyer whose client discussed the pending case on social media could be held responsible and face what he described as drastic action.
The suit is expected to test the legal implications of the allegations raised by Atiku as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
