The suit filed by African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, seeking the disqualification of President Bola Tinubu from the 2027 presidential election over allegations concerning his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, has been stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
At the mention of the case, counsel to the plaintiff, Joseph Onu, told the court that he had been unable to personally serve the defendant with the originating summons. He said he wished to serve Tinubu directly or through substituted service.
Counsel to President Tinubu attempted to receive the originating summons on his behalf, but Onu declined, insisting that the defendant must be served personally or through substituted service.
Atiku filed the suit on Friday, challenging Tinubu’s eligibility to seek a second term in office. The plaintiffs argue that the NYSC certificate Tinubu submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) bears a name different from his official name.
According to the plaintiffs, the certificate bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle”, while the President is known as “Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.
They are asking the court to determine whether the alleged discrepancy in the name on the NYSC certificate affects Tinubu’s constitutional eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, after hearing from the parties, adjourned the case to September 28 for further mention.
Tinubu defeated Atiku in the 2023 presidential election. The two politicians are again positioning themselves for the presidency as the 2027 elections draw closer.
Tinubu is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Atiku is seeking the presidency under the ADC.
