Politics
Timi Frank asks INEC to disqualify Tinubu over certificate controversy
By John Danjuma
A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party Comrade Timi Frank has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
In a statement, he personally signed and issued in Abuja on Sunday he also called on the ruling party, APC to replace Tinubu as its candidate if it hopes to be on the presidential ballot for 2023.
This was coming against the backdrop of the controversial educational qualification claims by Tinubu as contained in his presidential nomination forms recently published by the INEC.
Frank who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, said the issue about Tinubu’s basic education certificates or lack of it represents a test case for the electoral umpire as it would form one of the yardsticks to determine its partisanship or non-partisanship as the 2023 general elections draw near.
By not presenting his basic certificates as required by law for those running for political offices in the country, Frank insisted that Tinubu stands automatically disqualified from partaking in the presidential race.
According to him, inconsistencies in Tinubu’s several depositions over the years before INEC, show that he is either being evasive or attempting a cover-up, an action he described as a direct breach of the Constitution.
According to him, the United States of America’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had in a letter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), dated July 28, 2011, with File No. 80-LG-C110, made it categorically clear that Tinubu never “enrolled as a student” at the Chicago State University he claimed to have studied.
He insisted that INEC and indeed the APC must answer the following questions to determine if Tinubu can or cannot continue as a presidential candidate:
Did Tinubu attend the primary and secondary school he alluded to in his previous document with INEC?
Read Also >> Tinubu Refuses To Submit Primary, Secondary, University Certificate To INEC
If in his 2022 INEC form, Tinubu deliberately omitted to include his primary and secondary school, is this not a further proof that he lied in his previously submitted forms to INEC accompanied by an affidavit?
If he lied about both schools as indicated in his INEC forms, is that not a breach of the law as a public servant?
If he did not attend the University of Chicago at the time he stated in his affidavit previously submitted to INEC, is he still qualified to continue as APC’s Presidential candidate?
If the above questions are answered in the negative, is Tinubu still fit to proceed as the candidate of the APC in the forthcoming presidential election?
Above all, he wondered whether the APC lacked competent members with requisite, authentic, and impeccable educational qualifications instead of always assailing the good sense of Nigerians with candidates of doubtful academic backgrounds.
“Nigerians and indeed the international community are watching the INEC to see if it will be faithful to its role as an unbiased umpire by disqualifying Tinubu or it will retain him and kickstart a hailstorm of confusion that may ultimately rubbish its integrity in conducting the 2023 general elections,” Frank declared.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has warned against attempts to destabilize the peace and security of Igbajo by some group of people led by Prince Gboyega Famodun through conflicting Oroke festival days.
He directed security agencies to deal decisively with any trouble maker.
According to a government statement, issued in Osogbo, reports at the disposal of the government indicated an attempt by a faction belonging to Famodun to create conflict at Igbajo by fixing a different festival date from the one officially announced by the legal and officially crowned king of Igbajo, Oba Ademola Makinde.
An effort, it noted was designed to create violence and crisis in the peaceful town of Igbajo.
As a government, the statement added, we reiterate that the Monarch of Igbajo today is Oba Ademola Makinde and the May 23rd already fixed for the Oroke Day Festival remains the sacrosanct date for the popular cultural and traditionally significant event.
“We note further that the Head of Igbajo traditional institution remains the present Owa of Igbajo, Oba Ademola Makinde and he is therefore empowered and entitled to fix the day for the Oroke festival. Actions of the Famodun faction is therefore against tradition and law and is therefore a nullity.
“In a bid to forestall breakdown of law and order and in line with my responsibility as the Chief Security Officer of Osun state, I direct security agencies to enforce the holding of the Oroke festival on the official date of May 23rd and to ensure no gathering is held on May 19th set by any other faction.
“The above directive and actions are taken to maintain peace and protect the ancient town from those hell-bent on manipulating the traditional institution to destabilize the state”, the Governor was quoted as saying,” he cautioned.
Adamawa State High Court’s Justice Benjamin Manji Lawan has issue an arrest warrant for suspended INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari.
The court instructed the Inspector General of Police to promptly apprehend Barrister Ari and present him in court to face trial on three charges.
This directive followed an application filed by the Adamawa State Government on April 16, 2024.
During the proceedings, Chief L. D. Nzadon, representing the complainant, informed the court that they were seeking an arrest warrant against the defendant.
Referring to Section 20, Subsection (1j) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2018, Chief Nzadon urged the court to utilize its authority and instruct the Inspector General of Police to apprehend the defendant, regardless of his location.
He explained that attempts to serve the defendant were unsuccessful, as the court’s bailiff had been in Bauchi State from May 2nd to May 4th, 2024, but couldn’t locate him.
In his ruling on the application, the judge noted that this was the third instance the case had been mentioned without the defendant present in court.
He acknowledged the complainant’s counsels’ explanation regarding their inability to serve Ari, suggesting that it seemed he was deliberately avoiding
The executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Igbotako Ward II, Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State, have officially suspended Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who represents Ondo South, citing alleged anti-party activities and insubordination.
The suspension notice was jointly signed by several ward executive members, including Omotoye Olusola, Bakere Usuf, Tore Obwoselu, Oloyinmi Idowu, Borewaye Louyomi, Oladipupo Bose, Alkimbobola Seyi, Lawal-Babatunde, Aritawe-Ademole, Akinkuoju Olarewaju, and Fabioye Ajoke.
Ibrahim’s suspension follows the recent APC governorship primary election in the state, where he faced defeat. Citing Article 21, Section A of the APC Constitution, the party executives justified their decision to suspend Senator Ibrahim.
The 16-member Executive Committee made this decision during a meeting held on Monday, May 13, 2024.
Additionally, the party recalled a prior meeting in Abuja, convened by the APC National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, where all governorship aspirants were urged to cooperate with the party’s candidate and incumbent governor of the state, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Despite the suspension, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim proceeded to file a lawsuit against the governor and the APC, disregarding the party’s directives.
The letter, made public in Akure, the state capital, on Wednesday, states: “We, the members of the APC Executive Committee of Igbotako Ward II in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, convened a meeting on Monday, May 13th, 2024.”
“During our meeting, we deliberated extensively on various issues affecting the progress and development of our party, notably indiscipline and insubordination among some members.
“We have found Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s actions and activities to violate the party’s constitution, particularly his decision to sue the party as well as his anti-party activities.
“As such, we have resolved to take appropriate disciplinary action against him as outlined in the party’s constitution. Senator Jimoh Folorunso Ibrahim is hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect for acts of insubordination and anti-party activities By Article 21, Section A of the APC Constitution.
“It is worth recalling that the National Party Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, met with all Ondo State governorship aspirants on April 25th, 2024, in Abuja
“During the meeting, he urged them to cooperate with the party’s candidate and incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Honorable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. Despite this, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunso proceeded to sue the Governor and APC, blatantly disregarding party instructions.
“Additionally, he has engaged in anti-party activities by urging his supporters in Igbotako and Ondo State to join NNPP, claiming he will soon receive the gubernatorial ticket from them.
“Senator Jimoh has openly declared his intent to disrupt APC before leaving the party, as evidenced by his actions in the Federal High Court in Abuja and his derogatory remarks about APC in various media outlets.
“For emphasis, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunso has been suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect, and he is hereby prohibited from participating in any APC activities nationwide.” the letter added
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