Atiku Abubakar challenges Tinubu's 2027 eligibility in court

Atiku Abubakar Bola Tinubu 2027 presidential election NYSC certificate NELFUND

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has filed a lawsuit in the Federal High Court in Abuja challenging President Bola Tinubu’s eligibility for the 2027 presidential election. The suit alleges that Tinubu submitted a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), noting that the document bears the name 'Tinubu Bola Adekunle'. The legal proceedings were adjourned to September 28, 2026, after Atiku’s legal team encountered difficulties in personally serving the President with the originating summons.

Separately, the FBI has confirmed that President Tinubu was the subject of an investigation in the early 1990s regarding alleged drug trafficking activities. This confirmation follows a U.S. court ruling that prevented federal agencies from withholding such records under privacy grounds.

In related political developments, Atiku has proposed a policy to review the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and provide debt forgiveness for qualifying students if elected. Additionally, a separate legal challenge regarding the conduct of local government elections in Oyo State has been scheduled for hearing on September 10, 2026.

Entities

African Democratic Congress · Akeem Adeyemi · All Progressives Congress · Atiku Abubakar · Bola Ahmed Tinubu · Bola Tinubu · Federal High Court · Independent National Electoral Commission · Wakil Oyeleru Oyedemi

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Counsel for Akeem Adeyemi argued that the reliefs sought by the plaintiff were declaratory and trite.
[● 2 SOURCES] The lawsuit alleges the APC primary election failed to comply with the Electoral Act 2026 and APC guidelines. punchng.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha fixed October 26, 2026, for judgment in the suit. punchng.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Counsel for the APC urged the court to dismiss the application, questioning the qualifications of the plaintiff's witnesses.
[● 3 SOURCES] Counsel argued that member accreditation was not conducted in Afijio, Atiba, Oyo East, and Oyo West local government areas. punchng.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Plaintiff Wakil Oyeleru Oyedemi is seeking to annul the APC primary election and order a new one. punchng.com
[● 6 SOURCES] Atiku Abubakar filed a lawsuit challenging President Bola Tinubu’s eligibility for the 2027 presidential election. ait.live · solacebase.com · phenomenal.com.ng · thenigerialawyer.com · authorityngr.com · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The disputed NYSC certificate bears the name 'Tinubu Bola Adekunle'. ait.live · solacebase.com · phenomenal.com.ng · thenigerialawyer.com · authorityngr.com · +1 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Justice Obiora Egwuatu set September 10, 2026, to hear a suit seeking to halt local government elections in Oyo State. theglittersonline.com.ng · e247mag.com · blueprint.ng
[● 5 SOURCES] Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the proceedings to September 28, 2026. ait.live · phenomenal.com.ng · thenigerialawyer.com · authorityngr.com · newtelegraphng.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The FBI confirmed that President Tinubu was investigated in the early 1990s regarding alleged drug trafficking. puoreports.ng
[● 6 SOURCES] The lawsuit alleges President Tinubu submitted a forged NYSC discharge certificate to INEC. ait.live · solacebase.com · phenomenal.com.ng · thenigerialawyer.com · authorityngr.com · +1 more