The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned a suit filed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar challenging President Bola Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the case to September 28, 2026, after a dispute over the service of the originating summons on Tinubu.
At the Tuesday proceedings, Atiku’s lawyer, Joseph Onu Silas, told the court that attempts to personally serve the President had been unsuccessful. He consequently sought an order for substituted service.
However, Tinubu’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Omosanya Popoola, offered to accept the court papers on the President’s behalf. Atiku’s lawyer declined, insisting that Popoola provide a written undertaking confirming his authority to receive the documents.
Another SAN, Alex Izinyon, also urged the court to allow service through Tinubu’s counsel, but the attempt did not resolve the dispute.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, filed the suit against Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress and the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The suit challenges Tinubu’s eligibility for the 2027 election, with Atiku alleging that an NYSC discharge certificate submitted to INEC bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle” rather than “Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” The plaintiffs are asking the court to determine whether the document raises constitutional grounds for Tinubu’s disqualification.
They are also challenging provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, which they argue restrict legal challenges to a candidate’s qualification before an election.
The case will return to court on September 28 for further proceedings.
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