Atiku’s suit seeking Tinubu’s disqualification over NYSC certificate stalled

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned proceedings in a suit filed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, seeking to disqualify President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from contesting the 2027 presidential election over an alleged discrepancy in his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate.

The case came up for mention before Justice Inyang Ekwo, but proceedings were stalled after counsel to the plaintiff, Joseph Onu, told the court that he had been unable to personally serve the President with the originating summons.

Onu informed the court that he wanted to serve Tinubu directly or through substituted service.

The proceedings became contentious when counsel representing President Tinubu attempted to receive the originating summons on his behalf, but Onu reportedly declined, insisting that the defendant must be served personally or through an order for substituted service.

Justice Ekwo subsequently adjourned the matter until September 28 for further mention.

Atiku instituted the suit on Friday as part of his challenge to Tinubu’s eligibility to seek re-election in 2027.

The plaintiffs are questioning an alleged discrepancy between the name on the NYSC certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the President’s official name.

They contend that the certificate bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle”, while the President is officially known as “Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

The plaintiffs want the court to determine whether the alleged difference in the names affects Tinubu’s constitutional eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.

The legal challenge introduces another dimension to the increasingly competitive political contest ahead of the 2027 elections, with Atiku and Tinubu again positioned on opposing sides of the race.

Tinubu defeated Atiku in the 2023 presidential election, and both politicians are now seeking the presidency in the next election.

Tinubu is contesting under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Atiku is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).