By Stephen Simon
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has moved to amend his suit challenging President Bola Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election, with the Federal High Court in Abuja fixing October 13 for hearing of the application.
Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, filed the suit against Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, questioning the President’s eligibility to participate in the 2027 election. The case is being heard by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
At Monday’s proceedings, the court fixed October 13 to hear Atiku’s application seeking to amend the existing suit. The date was set to allow the parties involved to regularise and standardise their respective court processes before the application is heard.
The suit has centred partly on allegations concerning the authenticity of documents associated with Tinubu’s eligibility, including his National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate.
Tinubu and the APC have denied the allegations and have asked the court to dismiss the case. Tinubu’s legal team has maintained that he did not submit a forged NYSC certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The legal battle has also involved questions concerning service of court processes on the President. Earlier this month, the Federal High Court granted Atiku permission to serve the processes on Tinubu through the APC, removing one of the procedural obstacles that had affected the progress of the case.
The latest development means the substantive issues in the eligibility dispute remain before the Federal High Court. The court has not made any finding disqualifying Tinubu from contesting the 2027 presidential election. The next major step will be the October 13 hearing, when Justice Ekwo is expected to consider Atiku’s request to amend his originating processes.
