The controversy is dug up again. Yes, intense debate. Barbs are being traded. Jeers at the saga. Reasons fly away. But emotions rule the space. All in search and the need for President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s sitting President to submit his West African School Certificate (WASC) result to INEC for clearance.
It is not a new thing. Old, you may say. And remember too. In 2014, the storm in search of the certificate raged. The smoke did not simmer, but dragged into 2015. ‘Produce your certificate’, some members of the public indeed those of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP sought. ‘Why are you asking now? In three previous but failed presidential elections, Buhari presented. He was okayed by the relevant government bodies including INEC,’ a die-hard APC man in Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital queried. ‘Institutional failure’, one may say. Not judgment, anyway.
On the contrary, most All Progressives Congress, APC sympathisers and supporters did not want to hear it. ‘Even if he produces NEPA bill, we will vote for him,’ one of the APC supporters surmised. And they sustained the argument until the man won. The matter was buried, but no memorial service was held for it otherwise the issue would not reared its ugly head again.
Yet, Buhari then drummed into the ears of those who cared: My certificate is with the Secretary Military Board. Chikinah! Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC cleared him. Security agents gave him a clean bill of health. He went to the polls and trounced Goodluck Jonathan, the then sitting president. He was declared a winner and subsequently sworn in. Yet, the need to produce the certificate fell on deaf ears.
For three years and five months, Buhari has been sitting on the throne. For 2019, he wants to retain the throne in fulfilment of a second-term mandate, which is a constitutional provision. The unresolved issue: certificate narrative is sticking out again like a leprous hand. ‘My credentials are with the secretary of military board,’ Buhari avers.
Is the Secretary of the military board a position or a person? Is he or she alive? Is the office on earth or is in Heaven? Why not put a call to the animate or inanimate to bring oga’s certificate? As a bridegroom, will you allow your bride to live with your ‘best friend’ for years and then you answer ‘husband’? Questions! Riddles!
Despite the gesticulations and gerry manderings, Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has provided a legal solution to the certificate impasse.
At a press conference at the commission headquarters on Friday, he stated that any doubt on the forms submitted by aspirants regarding their personal particulars including Buhari’s certificate can be challenged in court.
According to the INEC Chairman, anyone in doubt of forms submitted by the candidates regarding their personal particulars can challenge it in court.
He added that while the commission is making the particulars of the candidates known, the public is to seize the opportunity to view the personal details of the candidates that seek to represent them.
“Any person with reasonable ground to believe that any information on form CF001 submitted by a candidate contains incorrect or false claims is at liberty to file an action against such candidate at the federal high court or the high court of a state or FCT,” he said.
“While the current exercise is limited to candidates for presidential and national assembly elections, the personal particulars of those contesting in governorship and state assemblies elections will be published on November 9, 2018, one week after the close of submission of nominations by political parties.”
“This is an opportunity for citizens to ascertain the personal details of the candidates to enable them take informed decisions on election day or even initiate legal action against candidates who they believe have made false claims on their forms,” he added.
Recall that Buhari’s Secondary School Certificate controversy made the headlines in 2015 when he entered the race for Nigeria’s number one seat, a position he won amid all odds.
The presidential flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the 2019 polls failed to present his credentials to INEC on Wednesday.
On Thursday, various candidates’ credentials were made available to reporters in Abuja and President Buhari only submitted an affidavit where he claimed that his credentials were with the Secretary of the Military Board.
In his affidavit to the electoral umpire, Buhari explained, “I am the above-named person and the deponent of this affidavit herein. All my academic qualification documents as filled in my Presidential form, APC/001/2015 are currently with the Secretary of the Military Board as of the time of this affidavit.”
However, some social commentators and critics have taken to the social media to revile the imbroglio.
Dino Melaye, the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial Constituency, Friday, mocked President Muhammadu Buhari on his alleged inability to present his WAEC certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Reacting to the development, Melaye tweeted, “Atiku submitted His certificates to INEC, Buhari submitted excuses to INEC.
“It’s okay! Law must prevail.”
Also, Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation, wondered how a Commander-in-Chief cannot retrieve his papers from the army, and repeating the same story he told in 2014.
In a tweet on Friday, the former Minister wrote, “Once again, Buhari has refused to submit his WAEC certificate to INEC. Once again, he says that it is with the military authorities.
“Even though he has been Commander-in-Chief for the last few years, he has been unable to retrieve them.
“May God save Nigeria from this man. “
Reno Omokri, a one-time aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan joined in tweeting “@Atiku has produced his certificate to @INECNigeria, while @MBuhari has produced his excuse to INEC. By their actions, you will know who is prepared to govern for the next 4 years and who is prepared to make excuses for the next 4 years. Nigerians be wise!
Akuluno1 tweeted on Friday “PMB internet rats can never reply or send message of propaganda now till the dust of this certificate saga are doused, @Fetuskeyamo we are expecting your comment stomach politician now they have made you board members that’s what you want making gains on the predicament of others.”
