Atiku/Okowa Campaign Organization Seeks Court Order Against Tinubu's Eligibility

Strategic Insights -

The Atiku/Okowa Campaign Organization has announced plans to seek a court order declaring the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, ineligible to contest the 2023 presidential election due to his conviction and forfeiture of money relating to narcotics in the United States. According to the campaign organization, Tinubu's conviction and subsequent forfeiture of $460,000 underlines his ineligibility to hold public office under Nigeria's constitution. The PDP's move is seen as a direct challenge to the APC's presidential candidate and may have significant implications for the election.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Atiku/Okowa Campaign Organization is seeking a court order to declare Tinubu ineligible to contest the presidential election due to his conviction and forfeiture of money relating to narcotics in the United States.
  • Tinubu was convicted in the United States for trafficking in narcotics and forfeited $460,000 in a court-ordered judgment.
  • The PDP is citing Section 137 (1) (d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which disqualifies anyone convicted of an offence involving dishonesty or fraud from holding public office.
  • The campaign believes that Nigeria is obligated to implement the international conventions and statutes related to the conviction, including the execution of the consequential effects of the judgment.
  • As a result, the PDP is demanding that Tinubu be declared ineligible to contest the presidential election and that his name be expunged from all election materials.
  • This move comes as the APC's own campaign council had earlier sought to compel Atiku Abubakar, the PDP's presidential candidate, to be investigated and possibly prosecuted for alleged financial misdeeds.

Statistics:

  • The amount of money Tinubu forfeited in the United States is $460,000.
  • The forfeiture was achieved under the 21 U.S.C. S881(a)(6) and 18 U.S.C S981.
  • Section 137 (1) (d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states that a person shall not be qualified for election to the office of President if they are under a sentence of death or imprisonment for any offence involving dishonesty or fraud.

Sources:

  • The Atiku/Okowa Campaign Organization
  • Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
  • Kola Ologbondiyan, spokesperson for the PDP campaign council
  • Section 137 (1) (d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended)
  • 21 U.S.C. S881(a)(6)
  • 18 U.S.C S981