Group Seeks Tinubu’s Disqualification From 2027 Poll Over Alleged Certificate Forgery
The Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy (CFRPA) has approached the Federal High Court in Kano, seeking the disqualification of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from contesting the 2027 presidential election over allegations of certificate forgery.
According to court documents, the suit, marked FHC/K/CS/312/2026, names President Tinubu, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Chicago State University (CSU) as defendants.
The plaintiff alleged that Tinubu submitted forged academic credentials from Chicago State University and a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate to INEC during the 2023 presidential election.
The group further claimed that Tinubu falsely stated he attended Government College Lagos, arguing that the institution was established in 1974, four years after he allegedly completed his secondary education. It also contended that the President does not possess a valid secondary school certificate, which it described as the minimum constitutional qualification for the office.
The CFRPA accused INEC of failing to act on a petition it submitted on June 19, 2026, requesting clarification on Tinubu’s eligibility.
In its filing, the group referenced the 2023 U.S. court proceedings in In Re: Application of Atiku Abubakar, which compelled Chicago State University to release Tinubu’s academic records. It argued that the documents revealed discrepancies, including alleged false entries and a purportedly forged University of Cambridge General Certificate of Education.
Among the reliefs sought, the plaintiff asked the court to declare Tinubu’s Chicago State University certificate forged, direct INEC to disqualify him from the 2027 presidential election, compel Chicago State University to remove his name from its records, and restrain INEC from accepting or publishing his name as a presidential candidate.
The group also submitted supporting affidavits, witness statements, and copies of letters sent to the NYSC and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, requesting official disclaimers on the alleged fake NYSC certificate.
As of the time of filing this report, the allegations remain before the court, and President Tinubu has not publicly responded to the fresh suit.
