Atiku Seeks Court Permission to Amend Suit Challenging Tinubu’s 2027 Eligibility

African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and the party have asked the Federal High Court in Abuja for permission to amend their suit challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.

The suit centres on allegations concerning an alleged forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate reportedly submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Atiku and the ADC are asking the court to determine the authenticity of the disputed document and its implications for Tinubu’s eligibility.

The plaintiffs said they sought to amend the case after identifying errors in the description of some INEC forms referenced in their original filing. They also want to provide additional details of their allegations and supporting documents.

When the case was called on Monday, Joseph Silas, who appeared for Atiku and the ADC, told the court that he had received responses from some of the respondents but was yet to receive President Tinubu’s counter-affidavit to their application seeking to amend the suit.

Justice Inyang Ekwo subsequently fixed October 13 for the hearing of the application. The date will also allow the parties involved in the suit to regularise their processes before the court.

Atiku has maintained that issues surrounding presidential eligibility should be resolved through the judicial process and that constitutional requirements should apply equally to all candidates.

President Tinubu and the APC have denied the allegations and are opposing the case.

The matter remains before the Federal High Court, where the parties are expected to present their arguments as the legal process continues.