Tribunal Backs Atiku, Says Buhari’s Academic Qualification Should Not Be Disregarded

The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) has dismissed the argument by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) suggesting that the complaints by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, against President Muhammadu Buhari’s academic qualification for the 2019 election should be disregarded.

One of PDP’s argument is that President Buhari did not meet the minimum educational requirements for emerging as a candidate for the election.

However, the INEC said the PDP’s demand should only be regarded as a pre-election matter.

The head of the tribunal, Mr Mohammed, while addressing the issues ruled that Section 138 (1) (a) of the Electoral Act allows for the filing of petition relating to an allegation of false information.

The tribunal held that it has within its powers to entertain the application and determine the details contained in the petition.

“I am of the view that the contents of section 138 (1)does not fall in the category of a pre-election matter,” he said.

“Although the issue relates to a matter that happened before the election, the issues relate to vital points that cannot be relegated just to a pre-election matter.”

The tribunal dismissed the application, with all other members of the panel not objecting to the lead ruling.