Group Seeks Court Order to Bar Tinubu from Contesting 2027 Presidential Election

The Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy (CFRPA) has instituted a suit at the Federal High Court in Kano seeking an order preventing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from participating in the 2027 presidential election over allegations relating to his academic credentials.

According to court documents, the group alleged that President Tinubu submitted forged academic credentials, including a certificate said to have been issued by Chicago State University in the United States and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2023 general election.

The plaintiff argued that presenting forged documents to INEC constitutes a violation of Nigeria’s electoral and constitutional provisions and should disqualify any individual from contesting for public office.

The suit is asking the court to determine whether the alleged submission of forged credentials renders the President ineligible to seek re-election in 2027. The group further requested an order restraining INEC from accepting or processing any nomination documents submitted by Tinubu for the next presidential election pending the resolution of the matter.

The legal action adds another dimension to the long-running controversy surrounding questions raised by some individuals and groups over the President’s academic and personal records.

President Tinubu has consistently maintained that he met all constitutional requirements for contesting the 2023 presidential election. Previous legal challenges and political debates concerning his credentials have also been contested by his supporters and legal representatives.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor INEC had issued an official response to the fresh suit instituted by the Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy.

The case is expected to attract significant public and political attention, given its potential implications for Nigeria’s political landscape and preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Legal analysts say the matter could ultimately test the interpretation of constitutional provisions relating to eligibility for elective office and the evidentiary threshold required in allegations of certificate forgery against public officials.