RismadarVoice Reporters
September 28, 2026
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 13, 2026, to hear an application by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress seeking to amend their suit challenging President Bola Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Inyang Ekwo fixed the date on Monday as proceedings continued in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026.
Atiku and the ADC are the plaintiffs, while Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress and the Independent National Electoral Commission are listed as defendants.
When the matter came up, counsel for the plaintiffs, Joseph Silas, informed the court that the relevant processes had been served on the defendants and that responses had been received.
The proceedings also revisited an earlier disagreement over service of court documents on Tinubu, which had previously delayed progress in the case.
Counsel for the President, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, referred to proceedings on September 1, when a lawyer appearing for the defence had indicated willingness to receive the processes on Tinubu’s behalf.
The plaintiffs subsequently sought and obtained an order permitting substituted service on the President through the APC after reporting difficulties with personal service.
Olanipekun raised objections concerning the circumstances surrounding that application, but Justice Ekwo directed the lawyers to concentrate on the matter before the court.
Silas subsequently informed the court that the plaintiffs had filed an application seeking permission to amend their originating summons and that the defendants had been notified.
There was also a disagreement over whether Tinubu’s response to the amendment application had been received.
Olanipekun told the court that the President’s counter-affidavit had been served on the plaintiffs on September 24, while Justice Ekwo confirmed that proof of service was before the court.
The judge subsequently adjourned proceedings.
“This case is hereby adjourned until the 13th of October 2026, for hearing of the motion to amend originating summons,” Justice Ekwo held.
The substantive case concerns allegations by Atiku and the ADC regarding a National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate submitted in connection with Tinubu’s candidacy.
The plaintiffs allege that the certificate was forged and are asking the court to disqualify Tinubu and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election and compel INEC to remove them from the relevant list of candidates and parties.
The allegations have not been determined by the court.
Tinubu and the APC have opposed the suit and asked the court to dismiss it.
Among their objections, the defendants have challenged the competence of the action and the plaintiffs’ legal standing to institute it.
The court has not ruled on the substantive allegations or determined Tinubu’s eligibility for the 2027 election.
Proceedings will continue on October 13 with the hearing of Atiku and the ADC’s application to amend their originating summons.
