SHAME ON THE HUMAN RIGHT LAWYERS AND COMMUNITIES IN NIGERIA
It is very ridiculous and embarrassing to have people who are christened as constitutional and human right lawyers but failed to speak out when constitutional issues are raised. It is more ridiculous to see a party running a campaign against impunity and to defend the rule of law but fail to do the needful as a prelude to entrench what they preach.
It is a shame to the entire human rights communities in Nigeria and globally for those who parade themselves as human right activists and lawyers to remain in the deep freezer for over three weeks now or thereabout and couldn't speak out on Constitutional issue as vital as who is qualify to stand election for the office of the President of Nigeria.
It is no longer news that up till date, the presidential candidate of the opposition party, All Progressive Congress, APC Muhammadu Buhari has not been able to present his academic qualification as a Constitutional requirement for anyone aspiring for the office of the president of Nigeria. Section 131 of 1999 Constitution is very clear on this and no single individual or groups should compromise that very important section of the Constitution for whatever reason. Section 131 of Nigeria's 1999 Constitution provides that “A person shall be qualified for election to the office of the President if -
(a) he is a citizen of Nigeria by birth;
(b) he has attained the age of forty years;
(c) he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party; and
(d) he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.
With the available information at public domain, Gen. Buhari has only met Section a, b, and c of that provision. Section d of the same section is uncompromising. The unfolding drama is an indication that INEC has been complacent in some of the fraud perpetrated by desperate politicians in the country and this will serve as the last bus stop. As far as the electoral law and the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria is concerned, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is not a candidate of APC and do not have any right to embark on any campaign since he has not met the requirement for such exalted position of the land.
I have just concluded a meeting with a team of lawyers and we will be heading straight to court on Monday to challenge the rationale for someone who is not qualify for the office of the President to embark on a campaign for such office. This is criminal and fraud of the highest order and Nigerians will not sit down and watch their country being taken ten steps backward by a converge of same bed fellows with the change mantra to deceive innocent citizens just for votes.
It will be wise for the leadership of opposition to either provide Buhari academic records as required by the law or look for option now that the night has not yet come. Anything on the contrary is a violation of the electoral processes and will be challenge in court which INEC will never go scot free.
It is very ridiculous and embarrassing to have people who are christened as constitutional and human right lawyers but failed to speak out when constitutional issues are raised. It is more ridiculous to see a party running a campaign against impunity and to defend the rule of law but fail to do the needful as a prelude to entrench what they preach.
It is a shame to the entire human rights communities in Nigeria and globally for those who parade themselves as human right activists and lawyers to remain in the deep freezer for over three weeks now or thereabout and couldn't speak out on Constitutional issue as vital as who is qualify to stand election for the office of the President of Nigeria.
It is no longer news that up till date, the presidential candidate of the opposition party, All Progressive Congress, APC Muhammadu Buhari has not been able to present his academic qualification as a Constitutional requirement for anyone aspiring for the office of the president of Nigeria. Section 131 of 1999 Constitution is very clear on this and no single individual or groups should compromise that very important section of the Constitution for whatever reason. Section 131 of Nigeria's 1999 Constitution provides that “A person shall be qualified for election to the office of the President if -
(a) he is a citizen of Nigeria by birth;
(b) he has attained the age of forty years;
(c) he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party; and
(d) he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.
With the available information at public domain, Gen. Buhari has only met Section a, b, and c of that provision. Section d of the same section is uncompromising. The unfolding drama is an indication that INEC has been complacent in some of the fraud perpetrated by desperate politicians in the country and this will serve as the last bus stop. As far as the electoral law and the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria is concerned, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is not a candidate of APC and do not have any right to embark on any campaign since he has not met the requirement for such exalted position of the land.
I have just concluded a meeting with a team of lawyers and we will be heading straight to court on Monday to challenge the rationale for someone who is not qualify for the office of the President to embark on a campaign for such office. This is criminal and fraud of the highest order and Nigerians will not sit down and watch their country being taken ten steps backward by a converge of same bed fellows with the change mantra to deceive innocent citizens just for votes.
It will be wise for the leadership of opposition to either provide Buhari academic records as required by the law or look for option now that the night has not yet come. Anything on the contrary is a violation of the electoral processes and will be challenge in court which INEC will never go scot free.
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