INEC Challenges Atiku's Suit Against Tinubu's Certificate

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), along with his party, filed a suit in the Federal High Court in Abuja against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC). The suit questions the authenticity of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate submitted by Tinubu to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The plaintiffs seek to disqualify Tinubu and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election, alleging that a forged certificate was submitted. INEC, as the third defendant, filed a preliminary objection on September 7, challenging the suit's competence based on several legal grounds, including lack of locus standi and failure to comply with court procedures.

On September 9, Tinubu and the APC also filed a counter affidavit, denying any wrongdoing and asserting that they did not submit any forged certificate. They argued that the NYSC has not denied issuing the certificate in question and requested the court to dismiss the suit.