The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied claims that it is involved in a cover-up for the All Progressives Council (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, over his certificate saga.

It noted that the election commission does not have the constitutional powers to disqualify any candidate sent to it by the political parties.

INEC, while responding to the allegation raised by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the electoral commission is covering up for Buhari over the certificate issue told the ruling party to go to court if it feels so aggrieved.

The director of Media and Publicity of PDP Presidential Campaigns, Chief Femi Fani Kayode, had on Saturday accused INEC of covering up Buhari over his failure to submit his certificate and credentials.

He said “INEC erred in law by publishing the name of a candidate without receiving the personal particulars of the candidate within seven days of receiving his nomination forms as indicated in section 31(3).”

But the director of Voters Education and Publicity in INEC, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi faulted the position of PDP with regards to the role of the commission in the certificate saga noting that INEC has no constitutional powers to disqualify any candidate presented to it by the political parties.

He said “In line with section 31 of the Electoral Act, the commission has no powers to disqualify any candidate whose name was submitted to INEC. This is the power of the law and it is expected that a political party in the calibre of the PDP should know this aspect of the provision of the law.

“If the PDP is strong on this matter, it knows what to do. Take him to court and that is the only option.

131. A person shall be qualified for election to the office of the President if -

(a) he is a citizen of Nigeria by birth;

(b) he has attained the age of forty years;

(c) he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party; and

(d) he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.

"School Certificate or its equivalent" means

(a) a Secondary School Certificate or its equivalent, or Grade II Teacher’s Certificate, the City and Guilds Certificate; or

(b) education up to Secondary School Certificate level; or

(c) Primary Six School Leaving Certificate or its equivalent and -

(i) service in the public or private sector in the Federation in any capacity acceptable to the Independent National Electoral Commission for a minimum of ten years, and

(ii) attendance at courses and training in such institutions as may be acceptable to the Independent National Electoral Commission for periods totalling up to a minimum of one year, and

(iii) the ability to read, write, understand and communicate in the English language to the satisfaction of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and

(d) any other qualification acceptable by the Independent National Electoral Commission;

otil1:
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VICTORCIZA:
NO NEED TAKING HIM TO COURT, HE WILL BE DISGRACED AT THE POOL AS USUAL