INEC Seeks Dismissal of Atiku's Suit Against Tinubu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has requested the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a lawsuit filed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, which claims that President Bola Tinubu submitted a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate to qualify for the presidency. INEC's legal team, led by Senior Advocate Dr. Alex Izinyon, filed a counter-affidavit asserting that the lawsuit is a gross abuse of judicial process and lacks reasonable cause.

INEC contended that Atiku does not have the legal standing, or locus standi, to bring the case, and that the issues raised are hypothetical. The commission clarified that it does not verify the authenticity of personal certificates submitted by candidates.

Atiku, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party and is now the presidential candidate for the New Democratic Congress for 2027, alleges that Tinubu's NYSC certificate bears a name that does not belong to him. He seeks to disqualify Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress from the upcoming election.

Justice Inyang Ekwo has scheduled further proceedings for September 28.