Buhari’s Certificate Saga and 2019 Elections – PDP vows to reclaim the mandate given by Nigeri

However, investigations revealed that Buhari had in the last three presidential contests he partook in, 2003, 2007 and 2015,  had consistently used ‘affidavits’ in the place of the certificates. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday observed that public demonstrations that The presidency may have procured a forged West African Examination Council (WAEC) Certificate Attestation and Confirmation for President Muhammadu Buhari is a huge mear on our nation’s integrity and the Office of the President.

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar has vowed to reclaim his stolen mandate. Atiku had approached the Electoral Tribunal, claiming he won the Presidential Election. The PDP Presidential candidate, who spoke in Abuja during a visit to the leaders of the Southern and Middle Belt regions, said the struggle to reclaim the mandate would be achievable with the support of the elders Muhamadu Buhari swore on oath and delivered an affidavit to INEC claiming he attended Elementary School Daura and Mai Aduaa between 1948 and 1952. Now, Atiku informs the court that those schools were not in existence between 1948 and 1952 and therefore Muhamadu Buhari could not have attended either school. That’s a serious charge sounding in perjury punishable by 14 years imprisonment under the Penal Code, besides being punishable under the 1999 Constitution, if proved, by immediate disqualification with consequent voiding of all votes cast for Muhamadu Buhari at last month’s presidential election, because a disqualified candidate is not entitled to be credited with any vote. Ditto, Muhammadu Buhari swore on oath that he attended Middle School  Katsina between 1953 and 1956. But now Atiku deposes on court papers at the Election Tribunal that the middle school was also not in existence as at 1953 and up till 1956. This charge squarely makes out a case of serial forgery, if proved by archival materials in the possession of Atiku.

Finally, Muhammadu Buhari swore on oath he attended Katsina Provincial College between 1956 and 1961, which Atiku disclaims by asserting contrarily that the Katsina provincial college was not built, founded, operational or even in existence between 1956 and 1961. If Atiku proves this serial fraud with conclusive evidence, Muhamadu Buhari will have no answer in rebuttal than throw in the towel and plead for leniency.

George Bukinor / INHR Nigeria