A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned a suit filed by former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, challenging President Bola Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The case, which centres on an alleged discrepancy in the name on Tinubu’s National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, was stalled over difficulties with serving the President with the court documents.
At the hearing, counsel to Atiku, Joseph Onu, told the court that efforts to personally serve Tinubu had not been successful.
Onu reportedly expressed his willingness to serve the President either personally or through substituted service.
However, an attempt by Tinubu’s lawyer to receive the originating summons on his behalf was rejected by Atiku’s counsel, who maintained that the documents must be served directly on the President or through an approved alternative process.
Atiku’s suit questions whether the alleged difference between the name on the NYSC certificate and Tinubu’s official name could affect the President’s constitutional qualification to seek re-election.
The plaintiffs allege that the NYSC document 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 name discrepancy constitutes a legal ground for disqualifying Tinubu from participating in the 2027 presidential election.
After hearing from the parties, Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the matter until September 28, 2026, for further mention.
Tinubu defeated Atiku in the 2023 presidential election, and both politicians are again seeking the presidency ahead of the 2027 general elections. Tinubu is the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, while Atiku is contesting under the ADC.
