2027: INEC Asks Court to Dismiss Atiku’s Suit Over Tinubu Certificates

The Independent National Electoral Commission has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit filed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar challenging President Bola Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku and the African Democratic Congress instituted the suit against Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress and INEC over allegations surrounding the National Youth Service Corps certificate submitted by the President to the electoral commission.

The plaintiffs are seeking Tinubu’s disqualification from the 2027 presidential election, arguing that the alleged discrepancies surrounding his NYSC certificate and other credentials violate constitutional requirements for presidential candidates.

In its response, INEC opposed the suit and urged the court to reject the claims.

The electoral commission argued that Atiku and the ADC had not produced evidence from the NYSC disclaiming the issuance of the certificate attributed to Tinubu.

INEC’s position came as the legal battle over Tinubu’s eligibility intensified, with the parties presenting competing arguments over the documents submitted to the electoral body.

Tinubu and the APC have also asked the court to dismiss the case, denying that the President submitted a forged NYSC certificate to INEC.

The defendants maintain that the allegations made by Atiku do not provide sufficient grounds for the court to disqualify Tinubu from participating in the 2027 presidential election.

The suit is separate from the legal challenges pursued by Atiku following the 2023 presidential election. The latest case specifically focuses on allegations concerning the documentation submitted for Tinubu’s eligibility.

Atiku’s legal action invokes provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act dealing with the qualifications of presidential candidates and the consequences of presenting forged documents to INEC.

The case has generated renewed political and legal debate as political parties prepare for the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku, who is the ADC presidential candidate, has maintained that the court should examine the alleged discrepancies and determine whether Tinubu meets the constitutional requirements to contest.

The defendants, however, have urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that the claims are unsupported and that the documents in question do not establish grounds for disqualification.

The Federal High Court is expected to consider the submissions of all parties as proceedings continue in the case.

The outcome could have significant implications for the 2027 presidential race, particularly if the court is asked to determine whether the alleged certificate issues affect Tinubu’s constitutional eligibility to contest.