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Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has filed a suit in the High Court in Abuja challenging President Bola Tinubu’s qualification to contest the 2027 presidential election over allegations of certificate falsification.
Atiku appeared at the court registry on Friday to depose to an affidavit supporting the suit filed against Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The suit relies on provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the Electoral Act, 2026. At its centre is Section 137(1)(j), which bars anyone who has presented a forged certificate to INEC from being elected president.
According to Atiku’s affidavit, Tinubu submitted an NYSC discharge certificate to INEC bearing the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle”, which the plaintiffs contend differs from the President’s name, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The affidavit further alleges that the certificate was submitted for both the 2023 and 2027 presidential elections and that Tinubu did not obtain it.
“These are allegations that the plaintiffs have now placed formally before the Federal High Court for judicial determination,” the statement said.
Speaking after taking the oath, Atiku said he appeared personally because of the case’s constitutional implications.
“I came here personally because the issues before the court go to the heart of our Constitution and the integrity of the office of President,” he said.
“I have therefore put my name, my signature and my oath behind the facts we are presenting to the court. Now it is President Tinubu’s turn to answer them.”
Atiku also asked the court to compel INEC to produce Tinubu’s Form CF001 for the 2023 and 2027 elections, saying he had previously requested certified copies without receiving a response.
“We are not asking Nigerians to decide this matter on social media, and we are not asking INEC to become a court,” he said.
“We are asking the institution holding the records to produce them and the judiciary to examine the evidence and pronounce on it.”
The suit also challenges provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, which Atiku and the ADC argue restrict challenges to a candidate’s qualification at the pre-election stage.
The plaintiffs contend that ordinary legislation cannot override constitutional provisions.
“Can an Act of the National Assembly be used as a shield against an express provision of the Constitution?” Atiku asked.
“Our position is that the Constitution remains supreme.”
The plaintiffs are seeking an order disqualifying Tinubu and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election if their allegations are established.
Atiku said the case was about applying the same standard to all Nigerians.
“The Presidency is not an immunity certificate against constitutional scrutiny,” he said.
“The 2027 election must begin with clarity about the qualification of those seeking the Presidency. Nigerians should not be asked to vote first and investigate later.”
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Joseph Onu Silas, said the legal team was confident in the case.
“We are confident that justice will prevail. This case presents an important opportunity to further develop Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence,” he said.
— Phrank Shaibu (@phrankangel) August 14, 2026
