By Matthew Tabe
A civil society Organisation–Action Alliance of Virginia Pavilion–has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman to disqualify the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in the 2023 general election due to his alleged involvement in narcotics and money laundering.
In a letter titled “Demand for You to Uphold the Oath of Your Office by Delisting the Name of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu As the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2023 General Election,” the group insisted that Tinubu was unfit to hold office due to his forfeiture of $460, 000 to the United States government in 1993.
According to the group, Section 137(1)(d) of the 1999 Constitution prohibits anyone under a fine for any offence involving dishonesty or fraud, from running for President of Nigeria.
It also drew INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu’s attention to letters previously served on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, regarding the issue.
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It said: “As evident in recent media reports, you are already aware of the contents of the Court proceedings referenced in annexure “L1”. However, for ease of reference we hereto attach the said proceedings and is marked annexure “B”.
“Arising from the proceedings in annexure “B” we demand that you uphold your oath of office which enjoins you to perform your duties in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. We, therefore, invite your esteemed attention to Section 137(1)(d) of the 1999 Constitution which provides thus:
“A person shall not be qualified for election to the office of President if he is… under a fine for any offence involving dishonesty or fraud (by whatever name called) or for any other offence, imposed on him by any court or tribunal…”
“Arising from the above provision we state clearly that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu is disqualified from contesting the presidential election in 2023 in accordance with the above provision.
“It is hereby ordered that the funds in the amount of $460, 000 in account 263226700 held by First Heritage Bank in the name of Bola Tinubu represent proceeds of narcotics trafficking or were involved in financial transactions in violation of and thus these funds are forfeited to the United States,” the group added.