The Federal High Court in Abuja has given the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, seven days to serve President Bola Tinubu with court processes in a suit challenging his eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the order on Wednesday after granting Atiku’s request for substituted service of the suit on Tinubu through his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The case centres on allegations by Atiku that Tinubu submitted a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), an allegation the court is yet to determine.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, was filed by Atiku, with the ADC joined as the second plaintiff.
Tinubu, the APC and INEC are listed as the first, second and third defendants respectively.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, Atiku’s legal team, represented by Olanrewaju Omotayo-Ojo, who appeared in place of Silas Onu due to bereavement, asked the court for permission to serve the legal processes through substituted means.
Justice Ekwo subsequently approved the request and directed that the process be served on Tinubu through the APC within seven days.
The legal action seeks to prevent Tinubu from participating in the 2027 presidential election over the allegation that a certificate bearing the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle” was submitted to INEC.
Atiku and the ADC are relying on the constitutional provision dealing with the presentation of forged certificates to INEC as part of their case.
The plaintiffs are also seeking access to relevant documents submitted by Tinubu to INEC as they challenge the authenticity and identity of the certificate in question.
The development follows an earlier difficulty in serving the President with the originating summons.
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At a previous hearing, Atiku’s lawyers told the court that attempts to personally serve Tinubu had been unsuccessful, prompting the request for substituted service. Tinubu’s counsel had indicated willingness to receive the process on his behalf.
The court had subsequently adjourned the matter, with proceedings earlier fixed for September 28.
The latest order now clears the way for the plaintiffs to formally serve the President and advance the case.
The substantive allegations against Tinubu remain subject to determination by the court.