The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an application by Atiku Abubakar. Atiku is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The court gave him leave to serve court documents on President Bola Tinubu through the All Progressives Congress (APC). Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the request on Wednesday. Atiku’s counsel, O.T. Omotayo-Ojo, moved the ex-parte motion. The plaintiffs seek to disqualify Tinubu and APC from contesting the 2027 presidential election. They allege that APC submitted a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate for Tinubu to INEC.
Atiku and Tinubu have been political rivals for years. In 2023, Atiku challenged Tinubu’s victory in court. He lost. The current suit is a pre-election matter. Atiku is now in the ADC after leaving the PDP. Tinubu is seeking re-election under the APC. The allegation of certificate forgery is not new. In 2023, similar claims were made. The courts dismissed them. This suit repeats the allegation. The legal question is whether the plaintiffs have standing and whether the case is statute-barred.
The court ordered that service be effected within seven days. The matter was adjourned to 28 September for mention. Tinubu, APC and INEC have filed counter-affidavits and preliminary objections. They argue the suit is incompetent. They say the plaintiffs lack locus standi. They deny submitting any forged certificate. Tinubu’s lawyer, Akin Olujinmi, SAN, argued that forgery must be proved beyond reasonable doubt. He said the plaintiffs produced no evidence from NYSC disclaiming the certificate. INEC challenged the suit on grounds of statute-bar, want of locus standi, and abuse of court process. The case will test the judiciary’s handling of pre-election litigation. It will also test Atiku’s legal strategy. Serving Tinubu through the APC is a procedural move. It does not guarantee success.
Winners: Atiku and ADC, who get a procedural victory. The judiciary, which demonstrates accessibility. Lawyers, who earn fees. Losers: Tinubu and APC, who face continued litigation. INEC, which is dragged into the dispute. The political process, which is again focused on certificates rather than policy. Voters, who face uncertainty.
Bottom Line: Atiku’s suit will proceed. The court will decide if the forgery claim has merit. The political class will continue to litigate while Nigerians wait for governance.