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The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until September 28, 2026, further proceedings in a suit filed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar challenging President Bola Tinubu's eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, instituted the suit alongside the party, seeking an order disqualifying Tinubu from the 2027 race over allegations that he submitted a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, lists President Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and INEC as the first to third defendants.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, Atiku alleged that the NYSC discharge certificate submitted by Tinubu to INEC bears the name "Tinubu Bola Adekunle," which he argued does not belong to the President. He claimed the document was forged and had been used since Tinubu's 1999 governorship election in Lagos State.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to declare that Tinubu breached constitutional provisions by allegedly presenting a forged certificate and to bar both the President and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election.
At Tuesday's proceedings, Tinubu's counsel, Omosanya Popoola, informed the court that he had been authorised to represent the President. However, Atiku's lawyer, Joseph Onu, maintained that the President had not been personally served with the court processes and sought either personal service or an order for substituted service.
INEC's counsel, Alex Iziyon (SAN), argued that the appearance of Tinubu's lawyer was sufficient and urged the court to allow the matter to proceed without further delay.
Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that the plaintiffs were entitled to determine how they wished to serve the court processes and adjourned the matter to September 28 for further proceedings.
The judge also warned all parties and their lawyers against discussing the case in the media or on social media, saying any violation could attract severe sanctions.
