ATIKU’S SUIT AGAINST TINUBU’S 2027 BID STALLS OVER SERVICE

The suit filed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar challenging President Bola Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election has been delayed after the Federal High Court in Abuja was unable to proceed with the matter due to issues surrounding the service of court documents.

At the resumed hearing, Atiku’s lawyer, Joseph Silas, told the court that attempts to personally serve President Tinubu with the originating summons had been unsuccessful.
 

He subsequently requested permission from the court to serve the President through substituted means.

However, Tinubu’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Omosanya Popoola, offered to accept the court documents on behalf of the President.

The move led to disagreement between both legal teams, as Atiku’s counsel insisted that Popoola should provide a written undertaking confirming that he had Tinubu’s authority to accept the originating summons.

As the lawyers were unable to resolve the issue, Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the matter to allow Atiku’s legal team to regularise the service of the court process.

The case has now been adjourned until September 28, 2026.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), filed the suit against Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The suit asks the court to determine whether Tinubu is qualified to contest the 2027 presidential election under relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the Electoral Act, 2026.

A major issue raised in the suit concerns an NYSC discharge certificate allegedly submitted to INEC in Tinubu’s name.

Atiku questioned the identity and authenticity of the certificate, arguing that it bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle” rather than “Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

He is asking the court to determine, based on evidence, whether the certificate belongs to Tinubu and whether the submission of the document could amount to presenting a forged certificate.

Atiku and the ADC are also challenging provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, which they argue restrict the circumstances under which a candidate’s qualification can be challenged before an election.

The plaintiffs maintain that where there is a conflict between the Constitution and an Act of the National Assembly, the Constitution must prevail.

They are seeking an order that could disqualify Tinubu and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election if the allegations are established in court.