The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking the disqualification of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku is challenging Tinubu’s eligibility over an alleged forged National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, discharge certificate reportedly submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The plaintiffs argued that the certificate allegedly bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle,” which they claim differs from the name, “Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” used by the President.
They are asking the court to determine whether the alleged discrepancy in the names on the certificate affects Tinubu’s constitutional qualification to participate in the 2027 presidential election.
The suit also challenges provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 relating to the qualification of candidates seeking the office of President.
The case is expected to test the legal implications of the alleged discrepancies as the country moves closer to the 2027 general election.
The suit turns on whether the alleged name discrepancy is legally material, including how Nigerian courts assess identity errors on electoral documents before deciding a candidate’s eligibility.
