Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has dragged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging his eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Mr Atiku, who personally appeared at the registry of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, deposed to an affidavit in support of the suit instituted against Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The suit invokes, among other provisions, Sections 137(1)(j), 139(1)(a)(i) and 285(14)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.
At the centre of the suit is Section 137(1)(j) of the Constitution, which provides that a person is not qualified for election to the office of President if he has presented a forged certificate to INEC.
Mr Atiku and the ADC are asking the court to determine whether Tinubu and the APC should be disqualified from participating in the 2027 presidential election over allegations that the President presented a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate to INEC in connection with the 2023 and 2027 elections.
In his affidavit, Atiku alleged that Tinubu submitted to INEC an NYSC discharge certificate bearing the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle”, which he claimed differs from the President’s name, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The plaintiffs further alleged that the same NYSC certificate was submitted in connection with the 2027 presidential election and contended that the document was not obtained by Tinubu.
The allegations are now before the Federal High Court for judicial determination.
Speaking after personally taking the oath, Atiku said his decision to appear at the court registry was deliberate, given the constitutional implications of the case.
“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.
“I cannot ask Nigerians to respect the Constitution while treating a matter of this magnitude casually. I have therefore put my name, my signature and my oath behind the facts we are presenting to the court.
“Now it is President Tinubu’s turn to answer them,” he said.
