A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled October 13 for the hearing of an application to amend a suit filed by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against President Bola Tinubu. The suit challenges Tinubu's eligibility in the 2027 general election. Justice Inyang Ekwo fixed the date after confirming that lawyers representing the respondents had been served with the motion.
The court had previously permitted the plaintiffs to serve Tinubu with court documents through the All Progressives Congress (APC). Justice Ekwo granted the request while ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by Atiku's lawyer, O.T. Omotayo-Ojo. The judge then adjourned the case to September 28 for further mention. At the next sitting, counsel for the plaintiffs, Joseph Silas, informed the court that all defendants had been served within the stipulated period.
Silas drew the court's attention to the plaintiffs' application seeking to amend their originating summons, noting that the defendants had been put on notice. Atiku and the ADC filed the suit against Tinubu, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last month. They argue that Tinubu presented a forged certificate to INEC in 1999, during his first gubernatorial contest in Lagos State.
The plaintiffs' suit, marked FHC/ ABJ/ CS/1888/2026, seeks to disqualify Tinubu and the APC from the 2027 presidential election, citing constitutional breaches. According to the plaintiffs, Section 137 (1) (j) of the Constitution states that a person shall not be qualified for election to the office of President if they have presented a forged certificate to INEC.
Atiku deposed to a 25-paragraph affidavit in support of the suit, stating that Tinubu submitted a forged certificate to INEC. Atiku claimed that Tinubu's submitted FORM CF 001 of 1999 raises serious issues of forgery. He also alleged that Tinubu declared under oath that he participated in the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and submitted a NYSC Discharge Certificate bearing a different name.
The plaintiffs argue that INEC cannot disqualify Tinubu and APC without a court order. They seek the court's intervention to disqualify Tinubu and APC from the 2027 presidential election. The court will now hear Atiku's application to amend the suit on October 13.
The case has significant implications for Tinubu's eligibility in the 2027 general election. The court's decision on the application to amend the suit will determine whether the case proceeds to trial. Key stakeholders are watching the development closely.
Key points
- The court will hear Atiku's application to amend the suit on October 13.
- Atiku alleges that Tinubu presented a forged certificate to INEC in 1999.
- The suit seeks to disqualify Tinubu and APC from the 2027 presidential election.
