2027: INEC objects to Atiku’s prayer to amend suit against Tinubu, APC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) objected to Atiku Abubakar's prayer to amend his lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election. The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) filed the lawsuit in the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate provided by APC.

Atiku and his party argued that the discharge certificate was forged, leading them to urge Justice Inyang Ekwo to disqualify Tinubu and APC from the 2027 presidential election. Additionally, they sought INEC's removal of Tinubu and APC from the candidate list. However, INEC challenged the suit's legitimacy, citing statute-bar, lack of locus standi, absence of a reasonable cause of action, and abuse of court process.

Furthermore, INEC objected to the plaintiffs' failure to comply with the mandatory written deposition requirement and their improper inclusion of Relief 2 and Relief 3 in their petition. Tinubu and APC's legal team also countered the suit, arguing that the plaintiffs lacked the legal right to make the claims and that the NYSC has never denied issuing the discharge certificate.

In response, Atiku and ADC filed a motion seeking permission to amend their originating summons, as they noticed errors in the form attached to their affidavit. They requested the court to deem the amended summons as properly filed, including setting out the details of the alleged fraud and attaching clearer copies of the exhibits.