Group Asks Court to Disqualify Tinubu from 2027 Poll Over Alleged Certificate Forgery

The Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Kano seeking to disqualify President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from contesting the 2027 presidential election over allegations of certificate forgery.

The suit, marked FHC/K/CS/312/2026, lists Tinubu, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and Chicago State University as defendants, according to court documents.

The plaintiff alleged that Tinubu submitted forged academic certificates from Chicago State University and a fake National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate to INEC during the 2023 elections.

CFRPA contended that Tinubu never attended Government College Lagos as claimed, arguing that the school was established in 1974, four years after he allegedly graduated. The group further claimed that the president does not possess a valid secondary school certificate, which it said is the minimum constitutional requirement to run for president.

According to the filings, INEC has not acted on the group’s petition dated June 19, 2026, which sought clarification on Tinubu’s eligibility.

In its statement of claims, the group cited a 2023 U.S. court ruling in _Re: Application of Atiku Abubakar (No. 23 CV 05099)_, which compelled Chicago State University to release Tinubu’s academic records. CFRPA insisted those records showed “false entries and inconsistencies,” including what it described as a forged University of Cambridge General Certificate of Education.

The plaintiff is asking the court for: 

Declaration that Tinubu’s Chicago State University certificate is forged; an Order directing INEC to disqualify him from the 2027 presidential election. 

It is also seeking for an order directing CSU to strike Tinubu’s name from its records; Perpetual injunction restraining INEC from uploading Tinubu’s name as a candidate.

The group also submitted affidavits of non-multiplicity of action, witness statements, and letters to the NYSC and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation demanding disclaimers on the alleged fake NYSC certificate.

The defendants have not yet publicly responded to the suit as of the time of filing this report.