Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja challenging President Bola Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), filed the suit alongside the party, asking the court to determine whether Tinubu and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), should be disqualified from participating in the election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is also joined as a defendant in the suit.

According to a statement issued on Friday by Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president deposed to an affidavit in support of the case at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Atiku challenges Tinubu’s NYSC certificate

The case centres on allegations concerning the authenticity of an NYSC discharge certificate allegedly submitted by Tinubu to INEC in connection with the 2027 presidential election.

The plaintiffs are relying, among other provisions, on Sections 137(1)(j), 139(1)(a)(i) and 285(14)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

Atiku and the ADC contend that Section 137(1)(j) of the Constitution disqualifies a presidential candidate who presents a forged certificate to INEC.

According to the statement, Atiku alleged in his affidavit that Tinubu submitted an NYSC discharge certificate bearing the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle”, which the plaintiffs contend differs from the President’s name, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The affidavit further alleges that the certificate was submitted in connection with the 2027 presidential election and was not obtained by Tinubu.

The allegations have now been formally placed before the Federal High Court for judicial determination.

ADC seeks Tinubu’s electoral documents

Atiku has also asked INEC to produce Tinubu’s Form CF001 submitted in connection with the 2023 and 2027 presidential elections.

According to the statement, Atiku had previously applied for certified true copies of the relevant documents but had not received a response when the court processes were prepared.

The plaintiffs are seeking access to the documents as part of their challenge to Tinubu’s eligibility and the information allegedly submitted to the electoral commission.

The case therefore places the authenticity and circumstances surrounding the documents before the court for determination.

Atiku challenges Electoral Act provisions

Beyond Tinubu’s alleged certificate, Atiku and the ADC are also challenging provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

According to their written address, the plaintiffs argue that some provisions of the law restrict who can challenge the qualification of a candidate at the pre-election stage.

They also challenge what they describe as the removal of qualification as a ground for questioning an election under the relevant provisions of the Constitution.

The plaintiffs contend that legislation enacted by the National Assembly cannot prevent the enforcement of an express constitutional provision.

They argue that where an Act of the National Assembly conflicts with the Constitution, the Constitution should prevail.

Suit seeks Tinubu, APC disqualification

The originating summons asks the Federal High Court to determine whether the statutory restrictions challenged by the plaintiffs can prevent them from invoking Section 137(1)(j) of the Constitution.

Atiku and the ADC are also asking the court to determine whether Tinubu and the APC should be disqualified from participating in the 2027 presidential election if the allegations contained in their case are established.

Among the substantive reliefs sought is an order disqualifying Tinubu and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election on the grounds pleaded by the plaintiffs.

The case introduces another legal challenge into the increasingly competitive 2027 presidential race, with Atiku and Tinubu expected to face each other at the polls if the court does not prevent the APC candidate from contesting.