By Agbafo Ijeoma
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 13 for hearing of an application by the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, seeking to amend his suit against President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Justice Inyang Ekwo fixed the date on Monday to allow the parties to regularise their court processes. At the resumed proceedings, Atiku’s counsel, Joseph Silas, told the court that although he had received responses from other defendants, he was yet to receive Tinubu’s counter-affidavit opposing the application.
However, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, counsel to Tinubu, told the court that the counter-affidavit had been served on the plaintiffs on September 24 and acknowledged by their counsel’s office. Justice Ekwo confirmed the proof of service before adjourning the matter for hearing of the motion to amend the originating summons.
Atiku and the ADC are seeking to amend the suit in which they are challenging Tinubu and the APC’s participation in the 2027 presidential election.
The plaintiffs allege that a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and are asking the court to remove Tinubu and the APC from the list of candidates and parties for the election. Tinubu and the APC have denied submitting any forged certificate and have asked the court to dismiss the suit.
In the proposed amendment, Atiku and the ADC said they sought to correct errors concerning the nomenclature of INEC forms, provide particulars of the alleged fraud, include Atiku’s written deposition and attach clearer copies of relevant exhibits.
Tinubu has opposed the application, arguing that it seeks to introduce new issues and reliefs and effectively alter the plaintiffs’ case, while INEC has also challenged the proposed amendment. The court will hear the parties’ arguments on October 13 before determining the application.
