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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking the disqualification of President Bola Tinubu from the 2027 presidential election over allegations concerning an allegedly forged National Youth Service Corps certificate. Atiku, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, personally appeared at the court registry on Friday to depose to an affidavit supporting the suit against Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress and the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Atiku’s case relies partly on Section 137(1)(j) of the 1999 Constitution, which disqualifies a presidential candidate who has presented a forged certificate to INEC. According to the affidavit, the disputed NYSC discharge certificate allegedly bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle” rather than “Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” Atiku and the ADC are asking the court to determine the authenticity of the document and its implications for Tinubu’s eligibility.
The plaintiffs are also asking the court to compel INEC to produce Tinubu’s Form CF001 submitted for the 2023 and 2027 elections. Atiku said the matter should be subjected to constitutional scrutiny regardless of the office involved. The allegations remain unproven and will have to be determined by the court as the legal challenge proceeds.
