Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, adjourned the hearing of a motion to amend the originating summons in the lawsuit filed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against President Bola Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) until October 13. The case, which centers on allegations of a discrepancy between Tinubu’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate and his official name, had previously faced procedural delays due to disputes over service of court processes. Counsel for the plaintiffs, Joseph Silas, confirmed that all defendants had been served within the stipulated timeframe, while counsel for the president, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), highlighted past conflicts over substituted service arrangements.
The legal battle intensified after a September 1, 2026, hearing, when counsel for the second defendant, Popoola Owosanya, offered to accept court processes on behalf of the first defendant, a proposal rejected by the plaintiffs’ counsel. This led to accusations of procedural misconduct, with Olanipekun alleging the plaintiffs attempted to ‘deceive the court’ by claiming inability to serve Tinubu. Justice Ekwo urged the parties to focus on the case’s merits, as the plaintiffs sought to amend their originating summons. The court had previously allowed substituted service on Tinubu through the All Progressives Congress (APC) after claims of difficulty in personal service, a decision later challenged by the APC.
INEC has also contested the lawsuit’s validity, arguing the plaintiffs lack standing and that the action constitutes an abuse of court process. The dispute over Tinubu’s eligibility hinges on the alleged mismatch in his NYSC documentation, a matter yet to be resolved. Meanwhile, the case has drawn attention amid broader political developments, including alliances among opposition figures like Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, as Nigerians await clarity on the 2027 election landscape. The court’s final ruling could set a precedent for electoral eligibility disputes in Nigeria.
The proceedings underscore the high stakes of the 2027 election, with legal challenges reflecting deepening political tensions. As the case moves forward, the Federal High Court’s decision on the amendment and the underlying eligibility claims will shape the trajectory of Nigeria’s democratic process. The outcome may also influence how electoral disputes are handled, given the constitutional and legal frameworks governing presidential qualifications in the country.