2027: Atiku, ADC Seek to Amend Suit Challenging Tinubu

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned until October 13, 2026, to hear an application by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress seeking to amend their suit challenging President Bola Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, was brought by Atiku and the ADC against Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress and the Independent National Electoral Commission. The matter came before Justice Inyang Ekwo for further proceedings.

At Monday’s sitting, counsel for the plaintiffs, Joseph Silas, informed the court that all the defendants had been served with the relevant processes within the required period. He also said the plaintiffs had received and responded to the processes filed by the defendants.

The issue of service had earlier slowed down proceedings in the case, particularly over efforts to serve Tinubu personally.

Counsel representing the President, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, referred to an earlier proceeding on September 1, 2026, when counsel for the second defendant, Popoola Owosanya, had offered to accept the court documents on behalf of Tinubu.

The plaintiffs’ lawyers did not accept that arrangement and later approached the court for permission to serve Tinubu through substituted means. The court subsequently granted an order allowing the documents to be served through the APC after the plaintiffs said personal service on the President had been difficult.

During Monday’s proceedings, Justice Ekwo urged the lawyers to concentrate on the matter before the court.

Silas then informed the judge that the plaintiffs had filed an application seeking permission to amend their originating summons. He added that lawyers representing the defendants had been served with the application.

After confirming that the relevant lawyers had received the application, Justice Ekwo fixed October 13 for hearing of the motion.

Atiku and the ADC filed the suit in August, seeking to challenge Tinubu’s eligibility for the 2027 presidential election. One of the central issues raised by the plaintiffs concerns an alleged difference between the name on a National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate submitted to INEC and Tinubu’s official name. The allegation remains a matter for determination in the substantive case.

The plaintiffs had earlier obtained court permission to serve Tinubu through the APC after saying they were unable to personally serve the President. The APC subsequently challenged the substituted-service arrangement, arguing that Tinubu’s lawyers had already received the originating processes and filed a defence before the plaintiffs sought the order.

INEC has also challenged the competence of the suit. The electoral commission’s objections include questions about whether the plaintiffs have the legal standing to bring the case and allegations that the action amounts to an abuse of the court process.

The court has not yet determined the substantive allegations against Tinubu. The next stage of the matter will focus on whether Atiku and the ADC should be allowed to amend their originating summons before the case proceeds further.