ABUJA — Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s legal battle to stop President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from seeking re-election in 2027 has hit an early hurdle, with proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja stalled over the service of court documents.
The suit, filed by Atiku, seeks to challenge Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election, with the former vice president raising questions over an NYSC certificate allegedly submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Atiku’s legal team argues that the certificate bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle,” which they contend differs from the President’s official name, “Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” The plaintiffs are asking the court to determine whether the alleged discrepancy and other claims surrounding the document have constitutional consequences for Tinubu’s eligibility.
However, the case could not proceed as expected on Tuesday after Atiku’s counsel, Joseph Onu, informed the court that efforts to personally serve President Tinubu with the originating summons had not been successful.
Lawyers representing Tinubu appeared in court, but Atiku’s counsel reportedly declined to hand over the documents to them, insisting that the President must either be personally served or that the court must authorise substituted service.
Justice Inyang Ekwo consequently adjourned the matter until September 28, 2026, for further mention.
The suit has added another high-stakes legal battle to the growing political contest ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku, now the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is asking the court to examine whether the alleged presentation of the disputed NYSC certificate could trigger constitutional provisions relating to forged certificates and presidential eligibility.
For now, however, the substantive arguments have yet to take centre stage, as the immediate dispute remains whether and how the President should be formally served with the case.
The September 28 proceedings are therefore expected to determine the next step in a case that could become one of the most closely watched legal battles of the 2027 election cycle.
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