Atiku’s Suit Challenging Tinubu’s 2027 Eligibility Stalls Over Service Of Court Papers

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned hearing in a suit filed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.

The case, which centres on an alleged discrepancy in the name appearing on Tinubu’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, was stalled on Monday after the plaintiff’s counsel, Joseph Onu, told the court that he had yet to personally serve the President with the originating summons.

The matter came up before Justice Inyang Ekwo for mention.

During the proceedings, counsel representing Tinubu reportedly attempted to accept the court papers on the President’s behalf.

However, Onu objected, insisting that the originating summons should either be served personally on Tinubu or that the court should authorise substituted service.

The disagreement over service prevented substantive proceedings on the suit, prompting Justice Ekwo to adjourn the matter until September 28 for further mention.

Atiku and other plaintiffs had instituted the action as part of their legal challenge to Tinubu’s eligibility to seek re-election in 2027.

The plaintiffs are asking the court to determine whether an alleged discrepancy between the name on the NYSC certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Tinubu’s official name has constitutional implications for his eligibility.

According to the suit, the NYSC certificate allegedly 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 difference constitutes a disqualifying factor under the Constitution and relevant electoral laws.

The case adds a fresh legal dimension to the intensifying political battle ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Tinubu, who defeated Atiku in the 2023 presidential election, is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Atiku is now aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

For now, however, the substantive arguments in the suit will have to wait as the parties return to court on September 28 to address the issue of service.