Spokesman of Buhari 2019 Presidential Campaign, Festus Keyamo, has said that by definition of ‘school certificate or its equivalent’ in Nigeria’s constitution, one is not required to possess the certificate to become president or governor.
Mr Keyamo was apparently responding to an argument by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who had sued President Muhammadu Buhari on claims that he should not have been allowed to contest the election as there were controversies around his WAEC certificate.
Keyamo, in several tweets on Monday, also made reference to the case of 2018 Osun governorship election where the PDP candidate, Ademola Adeleke, is being accused of forging his WAEC certificate.
The spokesman said in response to an earlier television interview on Sunday.
“Yes. Section 318 of the 1999 Constitution defines ‘School Certificate or its equivalent’ to mean Primary 6 School Leaving Certificate plus the ability to just speak, write, understand and communicate in English language to the satisfaction of INEC. No WAEC certificate is needed,” he said.
Then he added on Monday: “By the definition of ‘School Certificate or its equivalent’ in Section 318 of the 1999 Constitution, you don’t need a WAEC certificate to become President or Governor, but if you present a FORGED WAEC or other certificate to INEC for any office you will be disqualified. #OsunStateScenario.”
He also said that forgery occurs when the issuer of a document denies its authenticity and that in Buhari’s case, WAEC never denied it.
“Forgery occurs when the supposed author of a document denies ever making it or denies its authenticity. WAEC has confirmed the authenticity of PMB’s certificate by issuing an attestation of it. Case closed. In #OsunCaseScenario WAEC has denied the authenticity. See d difference?” Keyamo said.
