The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar permission to serve President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with court documents through the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a suit challenging Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the application for substituted service on Wednesday after Atiku and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) told the court that attempts to personally serve the President had been unsuccessful.
The judge directed that the originating processes be served on Tinubu through the APC within seven days and subsequently adjourned the case until September 28, 2026, for mention.
Atiku challenges Tinubu’s eligibility
Atiku and the ADC instituted the suit against Tinubu, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The plaintiffs are challenging Tinubu’s eligibility based, among other issues, on an allegation concerning a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate submitted to INEC.
They allege that the certificate bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle” and contend that its submission amounts to the presentation of a forged certificate. They are relying on provisions of the 1999 Constitution, including Section 137(1)(j), which addresses disqualification arising from the presentation of a forged certificate to INEC.
Atiku and the ADC are asking the court to declare Tinubu ineligible and disqualify him and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election if their claims are established.
Tinubu, APC reject allegations
President Tinubu and the APC have opposed the case, denying that any forged certificate or false Form CF001 was submitted to INEC.
Their legal team has also argued that the allegation of forgery is a criminal allegation that must be proved to the required standard of proof.
The defence further argued that the NYSC has not disowned the discharge certificate attributed to Tinubu.
INEC has separately challenged the competence of the suit, raising objections including statute-bar, lack of locus standi, absence of a reasonable cause of action and alleged abuse of court process.
Case now set for further proceedings
The latest ruling allows the plaintiffs to complete service of the court documents through the APC, removing the immediate procedural obstacle that had delayed the matter.
The court is expected to return to the case on September 28 for further proceedings.
The ruling itself does not determine whether Tinubu is eligible or whether the allegations concerning the NYSC certificate are established; those substantive issues remain before the court.
