Court Delays Decision on Atiku vs. Tinubu: What’s Next?

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled further proceedings for September 28 on a lawsuit filed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The suit seeks to disqualify President Bola Tinubu from the 2027 presidential election, alleging certificate forgery. The case, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, was filed with Atiku's political party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as a co-plaintiff. Listed as defendants are President Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The plaintiffs claim in a 25-paragraph affidavit that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate Tinubu submitted to INEC contains discrepancies. Specifically, the certificate lists the name "Tinubu Bola Adekunle," which they argue amounts to providing false information under electoral laws. They are requesting a judicial ruling that this submission violates Section 137(1) (i) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), along with an order to bar President Tinubu and the APC from participating in the 2027 election.