The political temperature just rose. The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, gave former Vice President Atiku Abubakar a seven-day window to serve President Bola Tinubu with his suit challenging the President’s eligibility for the 2027 poll. Justice Inyang Ekwo approved substituted service through the All Progressives Congress after Atiku’s lawyer moved the motion.
Atiku’s case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, alleges that Tinubu submitted a forged NYSC discharge certificate to INEC bearing the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle.” In a 25-paragraph affidavit he personally deposed to, Atiku insisted the certificate belongs to one Adekunle, not Tinubu, and that it has been paraded since 1999. He wants the court to disqualify Tinubu and the APC under Section 137(1)(j) of the Constitution.
But it’s not a straight path. Two Sans Chief Akin Olujinmi and Chief Wole Olanipekun have separately filed processes for Tinubu, creating confusion over who actually represents him. Olujinmi argues the suit is statute-barred and that Atiku lacks locus standi, while Olanipekun calls it an abuse of court process. INEC has also asked the court to dismiss the case.
Hearing resumes September 28. For now, the clock is ticking and Nigeria’s 2027 political chessboard is shifting fast.