The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 20, 2026, for the hearing of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s application to amend his suit challenging President Bola Tinubu’s eligibility for the 2027 presidential election.
The case involves Atiku and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who are challenging Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) over an alleged discrepancy involving the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The plaintiffs are seeking permission to amend their originating summons, arguing that corrections are necessary to address errors in the original court documents and provide additional details supporting their claims.
Among the proposed amendments are corrections to references to INEC forms, further particulars of the alleged fraud, a written deposition by Atiku and clearer copies of supporting documents.
Tinubu and the APC have opposed the application, arguing that the proposed changes go beyond correcting errors and would introduce new facts, documents and reliefs into the case. They have also urged the court to dismiss the substantive suit, maintaining that it is legally defective.
INEC has separately challenged the competence of the case, raising objections relating to the timing of the suit, the plaintiffs’ legal standing and compliance with pre-election court procedures.
The allegations concerning the NYSC certificate remain disputed. Tinubu and the APC have denied submitting a forged certificate to INEC and are seeking the dismissal of the case.
The November 20 hearing will determine whether Atiku and the ADC can amend their court documents. It will not, by itself, determine the substantive questions surrounding Tinubu’s eligibility for the 2027 presidential election.
