The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu be served within seven days with a suit filed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar challenging his eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the order on Wednesday following an application by Atiku’s legal team seeking permission to serve the President through his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, was instituted by Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with the ADC joined as the second plaintiff. President Tinubu, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are listed as the first, second and third defendants respectively.
Atiku’s legal action centres on allegations concerning a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate which he claims was submitted to INEC by President Tinubu. According to the plaintiffs, the document bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle”, which they contend raises questions about its authenticity and the President’s eligibility to participate in the 2027 election.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to determine whether the alleged submission of a forged certificate would amount to a breach of the constitutional provisions governing qualification for the office of President. They are also seeking an order that could disqualify Tinubu and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election if the court upholds their claims.
The case has already generated procedural arguments concerning the proper service of the originating processes on President Tinubu. Earlier proceedings were delayed after Atiku’s legal team said it had been unable to personally serve the President. Tinubu’s lawyers had offered to accept the documents on his behalf, but Atiku’s counsel sought a formal undertaking before agreeing to service through counsel.
The latest ruling now permits substituted service through the APC, giving the plaintiffs seven days to effect service. The order clears the procedural hurdle concerning service and allows the legal challenge to move forward in accordance with the court’s directions.
The substantive allegations remain matters for determination by the court. President Tinubu and the APC have previously asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing, among other things, that the suit is incompetent and that the plaintiffs lack the legal standing to challenge Tinubu’s candidacy. They have also denied submitting a forged certificate to INEC and disputed the claims made by Atiku and the ADC.
The court’s latest order therefore concerns the service of the suit and does not amount to a determination of the allegations against the President. Further proceedings will determine the legal questions raised by the plaintiffs and the objections presented by the defendants.