The Federal High Court in Abuja will rule on November 20 on whether former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar can amend his suit seeking to stop President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) from participating in the 2027 presidential election over an alleged forgery of the President’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate.
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo fixed the date on Tuesday after hearing arguments from Atiku’s legal team and lawyers representing Tinubu and the APC, who opposed the proposed changes.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, is seeking permission to amend the originating summons to include additional allegations and evidence in the case.
His lawyer, Joseph Silas Onu, urged the court to grant the application, arguing that the amendment would enable the plaintiff to present further evidence in the certificate dispute.
Atiku and the ADC filed the application on September 10, citing errors in the original suit and the need to clarify their claims. They said the amendments would correct a reference to an INEC form, provide particulars of the alleged fraud, include a written deposition by Atiku and attach clearer copies of exhibits.
Tinubu’s counsel, Wole Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), opposed the request, arguing that the parties had already joined issues and that Atiku should not be allowed to change his case at this stage.
Former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Akin Olujimi, who represented the APC, also urged the court to reject the application. Another SAN, Alex Izinyon, similarly asked the judge to dismiss the request and proceed to the substantive case.
After listening to the arguments, Justice Ekwo reserved his ruling until November 20.
In the main suit, Atiku and the ADC are asking the court to disqualify Tinubu and the APC from the 2027 presidential election over the NYSC discharge certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
They allege that the certificate submitted to INEC was forged and want the court to direct the commission to remove Tinubu and the APC from the list of candidates and parties for the election.
The allegations remain before the court and have not been determined in the proceedings described.
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