Court Grants Atiku 7-Day Ultimatum to Serve Tinubu in Suit Challenging 2027 Eligibility Over Alleged NYSC Forgery

The legal duel concerning President Bola Tinubu’s eligibility for the 2027 presidential election progressed on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, as the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an order granting permission for substituted service.

Presiding judge Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the application following a motion moved by Olanrewaju Omotayo-Ojo, who appeared on behalf of Atiku’s legal team. Under the new court directive, the plaintiff has been given a seven-day ultimatum to serve the originating summons and accompanying court processes on President Tinubu through his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, was filed by Atiku who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alongside the party as the second plaintiff. Named as defendants are President Tinubu (1st), the APC (2nd), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) (3rd).

Atiku’s legal action hinges on a 25-paragraph personal affidavit alleging that President Tinubu submitted a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate to INEC. The plaintiffs claim the document bears the name "Tinubu Bola Adekunle" rather than the President's official name, arguing it constitutes false information under Section 137(1)(j) of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended). They are asking the court to determine whether the alleged discrepancies from Obi/Tinubu-linked 1999 filings warrant disqualification from the 2027 ballot.

Meanwhile, defense teams, including senior counsels representing the President and electoral body, have filed preliminary objections challenging the competence of the suit, arguing it is statute-barred and questioning the plaintiffs' legal standing.

The court has maintained September 28, 2026, for the commencement of full-blown hearings.

Case File at a Glance

Suit Number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026

Presiding Judge: Justice Inyang Ekwo

Plaintiffs: Atiku Abubakar & African Democratic Congress (ADC)

Defendants: President Bola Tinubu, APC, INEC

Core Allegation: Disputed NYSC discharge certificate bearing the name "Tinubu Bola Adekunle"

Next Hearing Date: September 28, 202