2027: Atiku Seeks Tinubu’s Disqualification Over Alleged Forged NYSC Certificate

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court seeking the disqualification of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the 2027 presidential election over an alleged forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate.

Atiku personally appeared at the Federal High Court registry on Friday to file the suit, in which he alleged that Tinubu submitted an NYSC certificate bearing the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle” to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to the affidavit filed in support of the suit, Atiku and the ADC contend that the name on the certificate differs from the President’s name, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

They further alleged that the certificate was submitted by Tinubu in connection with both the 2023 and 2027 presidential elections and claimed that it “was not obtained by Tinubu.”

The plaintiffs are relying on Sections 137(1)(j), 139(1)(a)(i) and 285(14)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, as well as provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

Section 137(1)(j) provides that a person is not qualified for election to the office of President if he has presented a forged certificate to INEC.

Speaking after personally deposing to the affidavit, Atiku said he decided to appear in person because of the constitutional implications of the case.

“I came here personally because the issues before the court go to the heart of our Constitution and the integrity of the office of President. I cannot ask Nigerians to respect the Constitution while treating a matter of this magnitude casually,” he said.

“Now it is President Tinubu’s turn to answer them.”

Atiku is also asking the court to compel INEC to produce Tinubu’s Form CF001 submitted for the 2023 and 2027 presidential elections.

He said he had requested certified true copies of the documents from the electoral commission but received no response before instituting the action.

Beyond the alleged certificate discrepancy, Atiku and the ADC are challenging provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, which they argue restrict pre-election challenges based on candidates’ qualifications and limit qualification-related grounds for nullifying an election.

They contend that such provisions cannot override the Constitution.

“Can an Act of the National Assembly be used as a shield against an express provision of the Constitution? Can we write into ordinary legislation an escape route from a constitutional standard applicable to everyone seeking the Presidency? Our position is that the Constitution remains supreme,” Atiku said.

The former vice president also argued that the same standards applied to ordinary Nigerians seeking employment should apply to those seeking the highest political office in the country.

“Nigerian graduates cannot complete NYSC documentation with one identity and simply ask employers to ignore discrepancies. Young Nigerians seeking ordinary jobs are subjected to rigorous scrutiny of their certificates. The standard cannot suddenly disappear because the applicant is seeking the highest office in the land,” he said.

“The Presidency is not an immunity certificate against constitutional scrutiny.”

Atiku also urged INEC to make the relevant documents available for judicial scrutiny.

“INEC is holding the documents. The court has the jurisdiction to examine the issues. President Tinubu has the opportunity to defend himself. That is the constitutional process, and nobody should be afraid of it,” he said.

The plaintiffs are asking the court to determine whether provisions of the Electoral Act can prevent challenges brought under Section 137(1)(j) of the Constitution.

They are also seeking an order compelling INEC to produce Tinubu’s nomination documents and, if the allegations are established, an order disqualifying Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the 2027 presidential election.

Lead counsel to the plaintiffs, Joseph Onu Silas, said the case was not about personalities or political privilege.

“This is not about privilege, personalities or presidential power. It is about one Constitution and one standard for every Nigerian. Nobody is above the Constitution — not Atiku Abubakar, not Bola Tinubu, and certainly not the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

The allegations contained in the suit are yet to be determined by the court.

President Tinubu, the APC and INEC are expected to respond to the claims as the legal proceedings unfold.

Atiku said the objective was to ensure that the qualification of presidential candidates was settled before Nigerians go to the polls.

“The 2027 election must begin with clarity about the qualification of those seeking the Presidency. Nigerians should not be asked to vote first and investigate later,” he said.