Ume, who is also the Imo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, said in a statement that selective vicissitude had no place in the constitution, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was empowered to accept Buhari’s candidature as the APC’s standard-bearer for February 14 election.
According to him, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) prescribed qualifications for candidates seeking election for the position of president and governor and did not make itself available to such selective vicissitude.
He said most of the views being expressed on General Buhari’s certificate were made without proper grasp of the law.
He said section 131(d) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, provided that a person shall be qualified for election to the office of president if educated up to at least school certificate level or its equivalent.
He said the constitution elaborately defined its understanding of “educated up to at least school certificate level or its equivalent,” thus: (a) Secondary School Certificate or its equivalent or grade II Teacher’s Certificate, 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 INEC for a minimum of 10 years (ii) attendance at courses and training in such institutions as may be acceptable to INEC for periods totalling a minimum of one year and (iii) ability to read, write, understand and communicate in English Language to INEC’s satisfaction.
He said the arguments against Buhari’s academic qualification were mere grandstanding and did not add anything to nation building effort.
Source: Tribune
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