The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned a suit filed by the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, seeking to disqualify President Bola Tinubu from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku’s suit challenges Tinubu’s eligibility over an alleged discrepancy in the name appearing on the National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
At the mention of the case on Tuesday, counsel to the plaintiff, Joseph Onu, told the court that he had been unable to personally serve Tinubu with the originating summons.
Onu informed the court that he wanted to serve the President directly or through substituted service.
However, the counsel representing Tinubu attempted to receive the originating summons, but Onu declined, insisting that the documents be served personally on the President or through substituted service.
Atiku filed the suit on Friday, challenging Tinubu’s eligibility to seek another term in office. The former Vice President argued that the NYSC certificate submitted to INEC bears a name different from the President’s official name.
According to the plaintiffs, the certificate carries the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle”, while the President is officially known as “Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.
They are asking the court to determine whether the alleged discrepancy affects Tinubu’s constitutional qualification to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, after hearing from the parties, adjourned the case until September 28 for further mention.
Tinubu defeated Atiku in the 2023 presidential election. Both politicians are again seeking the presidency ahead of the 2027 general election, with Tinubu flying the flag of the All Progressives Congress and Atiku contesting under the ADC.