Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to bar President Bola Tinubu from contesting in the 2027 presidential election over an alleged forged National Youth Service Corps certificate.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, filed the suit alongside the party against Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress and the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He personally appeared at the court registry in Abuja on Friday to depose to an affidavit in support of the case.
The suit seeks a determination of whether Tinubu is constitutionally qualified to contest the 2027 election in light of allegations surrounding an NYSC discharge certificate allegedly submitted to INEC.
Atiku and the ADC are relying on provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, including Section 137(1)(j), which provides that a person is not qualified for election as president if they have presented a forged certificate to INEC.
The plaintiffs also cited Sections 139(1)(a)(i) and 285(14)(c) of the Constitution, as well as relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
According to the affidavit, the NYSC certificate at the centre of the dispute bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle” instead of the President’s name, “Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
The plaintiffs allege that Tinubu did not obtain the certificate and question whether the document can legitimately be attributed to him.
They are asking the court to determine whether the disputed document constitutes a forged certificate within the meaning of the Constitution and whether it affects Tinubu’s eligibility to seek re-election.
Atiku is also asking the court to compel INEC to produce Tinubu’s Form CF001 submitted for the 2023 and 2027 presidential elections.
The former vice president said he had previously sought certified true copies of the relevant electoral documents from INEC but had not received them before filing the suit.
The suit also questions provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 which Atiku and the ADC argue could limit the ability of candidates or political parties to challenge the qualification of presidential candidates before an election.
The plaintiffs contend that such provisions cannot override constitutional requirements governing eligibility for the presidency.
They are therefore asking the court to determine whether the statutory restrictions can prevent them from relying on Section 137(1)(j) of the Constitution.
Atiku said the matter should be resolved through evidence and judicial proceedings rather than political arguments.
“I came here personally because the issues before the court go to the heart of our Constitution and the integrity of the Office of President,” he said.
He added that the court should determine whether the names appearing on the disputed certificate can legally be linked to Tinubu.
“If the certificate belongs to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, let that be established before the court. If ‘Tinubu Bola Adekunle’ and ‘Bola Ahmed Tinubu’ are one and the same person for the purpose of that certificate, let the evidence establish it,” Atiku said.
Among the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs is an order disqualifying Tinubu and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election if the allegations are established.
Atiku also called on INEC to release the relevant electoral records in its custody.
“INEC is holding the documents. The court has the jurisdiction to examine the issues. President Tinubu has the opportunity to defend himself,” he said.
The former vice president said the eligibility of presidential candidates should be clear before Nigerians vote.
“The 2027 election must begin with clarity about the qualification of those seeking the presidency. Nigerians should not be asked to vote first and investigate later,” he added.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Edwin Inegedu, SAN, and Joseph Onu Silas, expressed confidence in the case.
Silas said the legal team had reviewed the relevant laws and was prepared to respond to the defendants’ arguments once they were served.
“We are confident that justice will prevail. This case presents an important opportunity to further develop Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence,” he said.
The suit adds another legal battle to the political contest ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the court now set to consider issues surrounding Tinubu’s eligibility, the disputed NYSC certificate and INEC’s custody of his electoral records.