A legal challenge seeking to bar President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the 2027 presidential election has been adjourned after the plaintiffs insisted that the president must be personally served with the court documents.

The suit was filed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the ADC at the Federal High Court in Abuja. They are challenging Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 election, alongside the participation of the APC.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, is based on allegations that Tinubu presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 1999, when he contested the Lagos State governorship election. Tinubu, the APC and INEC are listed as defendants.

When the case came up, Joseph Onu Silas appeared for Atiku and the ADC, while Omosanya Popoola, SAN, represented Tinubu and the APC. Dr Alex Izinyon, SAN, led the legal team for INEC.

Silas told the court that the plaintiffs had been unable to serve Tinubu with the originating documents and indicated that they would seek permission to use substituted service. Popoola, however, said he had been authorised by Tinubu to represent him and was prepared to accept service on the president’s behalf.

The plaintiffs rejected that option. Their position was that personally serving Tinubu would prevent possible technical objections later in the proceedings. Justice Inyang Ekwo subsequently adjourned the matter until September 28 for hearing.

Atiku and the ADC are asking the court to disqualify Tinubu and the APC from the 2027 presidential election, arguing that constitutional provisions were breached. Their case relies, among other things, on Section 137(1)(j) of the 1999 Constitution, which deals with eligibility where a candidate has presented a forged certificate to INEC.

In a 25-paragraph affidavit filed in support of the case, Atiku also raised questions over documents allegedly submitted to INEC, including an NYSC discharge certificate bearing the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle.” He argued that the name differs from Bola Ahmed Tinubu and alleged that the document was presented as genuine.

The plaintiffs further contend that INEC cannot disqualify Tinubu without a court order directing it to do so. The allegations remain part of the ongoing legal dispute and have not been determined by the court.