Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has sued President Bola Tinubu over an alleged forged National Youth Service Corps certificate.
Atiku filed the suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday. He is asking the court to determine Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election. The suit also lists the All Progressives Congress and the Independent National Electoral Commission as defendants. Atiku personally visited the court registry to depose to an affidavit supporting the case.
Atiku Challenges Tinubu’s NYSC Certificate
The case centres on an NYSC discharge certificate allegedly submitted to INEC by Tinubu. According to Atiku, the document bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle” instead of “Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
He also alleged that Tinubu did not obtain the certificate. The former vice president claims the document was submitted for the 2027 presidential election. Atiku is relying on Sections 137(1)(j), 139(1)(a)(i) and 285(14)(c) of the 1999 Constitution. The suit also cites relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
Section 137(1)(j) deals with the presentation of forged certificates to INEC by presidential candidates. Atiku wants the court to compel INEC to release Tinubu’s Form CF001 from the 2023 and 2027 presidential elections. He said he had earlier requested certified copies of the documents from INEC but did not receive them.
Why Atiku Went To Court
Atiku said he personally appeared at the court because of the importance of the case.
“I came here personally because the issues before the court go to the heart of our Constitution and the integrity of the office of President.”
He said the matter should be decided through evidence and the courts, rather than political arguments.
“We are not asking Nigerians to decide this matter on social media, and we are not asking INEC to become a court.”
Atiku also questioned whether the name on the disputed certificate could legally be linked to President Tinubu. Among the reliefs sought is an order disqualifying Tinubu and the APC from the 2027 presidential election if the allegations are proven.
APC Rejects Atiku’s Suit
The APC has dismissed the lawsuit as an attempt by Atiku to avoid the 2027 election contest. APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, said Tinubu remains qualified to contest the election. Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, Basiru said the issue had already been settled by the Supreme Court.
“The President is qualified to contest the election; there is nothing disqualifying him, and the matter has been settled by the Supreme Court.”
Basiru also urged Atiku to focus on preparing for the election instead of seeking what he described as a shortcut to power.
ADC Chieftain Petitions European Commission
The controversy also reached Europe on Friday. ADC chieftain, Kalu Agu, submitted a petition against Tinubu to the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium.
Agu accused the President of submitting false credentials to INEC ahead of the 2027 election. He also alleged that Tinubu failed to disclose the primary and secondary schools he attended in documents submitted to INEC. Agu said the alleged submission of forged certificates violates Section 137(1)(j) of the Constitution.
“If you have presented a forged certificate to INEC, you will not be qualified to run for election.”
Presidency Dismisses EU Petition
The Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, dismissed the petition. Bwala described the move as an opposition distraction and said the group should focus on its plans for Nigerians.
“The opposition is on a wild goose chase in Europe.”
The suit and the European petition have added another legal and political dimension to the growing contest ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Read also: FG exceeds 2024 borrowing target by N4.79tn amid revenue shortfall
