The Federal High Court in Abuja will on November 20, 2026, rule on an application by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to amend their suit challenging President Bola Tinubu’s eligibility for the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Inyang Ekwo fixed the date on Tuesday, October 13, after hearing objections from Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The plaintiffs seek to correct an electoral document reference from Form CF001 to Form EC9A, add Atiku’s written deposition and submit clearer copies of exhibits.
Their counsel, Joseph Silas Onu, argued that the amendments would help present their case properly.
However, INEC’s lawyer, Alex Izinyon, SAN, warned that the changes could introduce a fresh cause of action after the statutory deadline for pre-election cases had expired.
READ ALSO: 2027: Atiku, ADC Seek To Amend Suit Challenging Tinubu’s Eligibility
Tinubu’s counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, and APC lawyer, Akin Olujinmi, SAN, also opposed the application. Olanipekun argued that the proposed changes would alter the case after the parties had joined issues and maintained that the suit was filed outside the prescribed timeframe.
He said the cause of action arose on July 11, when Tinubu’s name was submitted to INEC, but the suit was filed on August 14.
Atiku and the ADC allege that a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate was submitted to INEC in connection with Tinubu’s candidacy. They seek his disqualification and that of the APC from the 2027 election.
Tinubu and the APC deny the allegations and have asked the court to dismiss the suit. INEC has also raised procedural objections, including limitation of time and lack of legal standing.
The court had earlier authorised substituted service of court documents on Tinubu through the APC on September 16.
The November 20 ruling concerns the amendment application, not the substantive allegations, which remain unresolved.