Atiku Sues Tinubu Over Alleged NYSC Certificate Forgery, Seeks Disqualification From 2027 Race

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dragged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging his eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election over an alleged discrepancy involving an NYSC discharge certificate.

Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), personally appeared at the court registry on Friday to depose to an affidavit supporting the suit.

The case was filed by Atiku and the ADC against President Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

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

At the centre of the suit is Section 137(1)(j), which provides for the disqualification of a person who presents a forged certificate to INEC for the purpose of contesting a presidential election.

Atiku and the ADC are asking the court to determine whether Tinubu and the APC should be disqualified from the 2027 presidential election over an alleged NYSC discharge certificate bearing the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle,” which they claim was submitted to INEC for the 2023 and 2027 elections.

According to Atiku’s affidavit, the name on the certificate differs from “Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” and he alleges that the document was not obtained by the President.

Explaining his decision to appear personally at the court, Atiku said the matter concerns the integrity of the Constitution and the office of the President.

“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, adding that he had personally placed his name, signature and oath behind the facts presented before the court.

The former vice president also asked the court to compel INEC to produce Tinubu’s Form CF001 submitted for the 2023 and 2027 presidential elections.

Atiku said he had previously applied for certified true copies of the relevant documents but received no response before commencing the legal action.

He maintained that the matter should be determined by the courts based on evidence rather than through public debate.

“If the certificate belongs to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, let that be established before the court. If ‘Tinubu Bola Adekunle’ and ‘Bola Ahmed Tinubu’ are one and the same person for the purpose of that certificate, let the evidence establish it,” he stated.

Beyond the certificate controversy, Atiku and the ADC are also challenging aspects of the Electoral Act, 2026, which they argue could limit pre-election challenges to the qualification of candidates.

They contend that legislation enacted by the National Assembly cannot override the provisions of the Constitution.

Among the reliefs being sought is an order disqualifying Tinubu and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election if the court rules in favour of the plaintiffs.

Atiku further called on INEC to demonstrate neutrality by making the relevant electoral documents available to the court.

“The 2027 election must begin with clarity about the qualification of those seeking the Presidency. Nigerians should not be asked to vote first and investigate later,” he said.

Lead counsel to the plaintiffs, Joseph Onu Silas, said the legal team was confident that the case would contribute to the development of Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence.

He stressed that the case was not about personalities or political privilege, but about applying the Constitution equally to every Nigerian.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor INEC had publicly responded to the allegations contained in the suit.