RismadarVoice Reporters
October 13, 2026
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 20, 2026, to rule on an application by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar seeking permission to amend his suit challenging President Bola Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Inyang Ekwo fixed the date on Tuesday after hearing arguments from lawyers representing Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), President Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Atiku’s counsel, Joseph Silas Onu, urged the court to grant the application, arguing that the proposed amendments were necessary to clarify allegations concerning an NYSC discharge certificate allegedly submitted by Tinubu to INEC.
The application, filed on September 10, seeks permission to correct aspects of the originating summons, introduce additional details, include a written deposition by Atiku and attach clearer copies of documents intended to support the plaintiffs’ claims.
Onu maintained that some of the proposed materials were unavailable when the substantive suit was instituted.
However, Tinubu’s counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, opposed the application, arguing that the proposed changes went beyond correcting errors and would substantially alter the plaintiffs’ case.
Olanipekun contended that the amendments would introduce new facts, documents and reliefs after the parties had already exchanged their court processes.
Counsel representing the APC, former Attorney-General of the Federation Akin Olujimi, also opposed the application.
Another senior lawyer, Alex Izinyon, urged the court to reject the request and proceed with the substantive matter.
INEC similarly objected, arguing that the proposed amendments would introduce a new cause of action after the constitutionally prescribed period for instituting pre-election proceedings.
The electoral commission maintained that the application should not be used to remedy alleged deficiencies in the original suit outside the applicable filing period.
Atiku and the ADC had instituted the substantive action challenging Tinubu’s eligibility over allegations concerning the authenticity of an NYSC discharge certificate.
The plaintiffs alleged that the document bore the name “Bola Adekunle” and questioned its authenticity and connection to the president.
They are seeking judicial orders affecting Tinubu’s participation in the 2027 presidential election and the APC’s nomination of him as its candidate.
Tinubu and the APC have denied the allegations and asked the court to dismiss the suit.
The president’s legal team has also challenged the competence of the action, arguing that it was filed outside the applicable constitutional timeframe.
According to the defence, the relevant cause of action arose on July 11, while the plaintiffs instituted proceedings on August 14.
After considering the parties’ submissions, Justice Ekwo reserved his ruling on the amendment application until November 20.
The court has not determined the authenticity of the disputed certificate or the substantive allegations against Tinubu. The forthcoming ruling will address whether the plaintiffs may amend their originating processes.
