Why INEC can’t disqualify Buhari

monjola sotubo

January 22, 2015 4:21 PM

Jega spoke about the issue on Wednesday, January 21, during an interview on Channels TV programme, “Straight Talk with Kadaria.”

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, has explained why the commission can’t disqualify the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari despite the controversy surrounding his academic credentials.

The INEC chairman explained that candidates who could not produce their certificates were allowed to swear affidavits in lieu, like Buhari did.

“There is a provision that the candidates should provide documentary evidence of whatever qualification they have cited, but the law also permits that if you cite documents and you don’t have photocopies, you can swear to an affidavit and in this case, INEC by the provision of the section 31 of the Electoral Act cannot disqualify an appropriately nominated candidate of any party,” Jega said.

“We can deregister a political party, but the law says we must accept any candidate; it is a matter for the court, they are free to go to the court,” he added.

Buhari’s West African Examination Council (WAEC) result was released yesterday, January 21, by the Katsina college after the army denied being in possession of his credentials.

monjola sotubo