Politics
Disqualify Tinubu over controversial certificate claims, Timi Frank urges INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), should without further hesitation disqualify the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party Comrade Timi Frank has urged.
Frank in a statement he personally and issued in Abuja on sunday also called on the APC to replace Tinubu as its candidate if it hopes to be on the presidential ballot for 2023.
This was happening following controversial educational qualification claims by Tinubu as contained in his presidential nomination forms recently published by the INEC.
Frank who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, said the issue about Tinubu’s basic education certificates or lack of it represents a test case for the electoral umpire as it would form one of the yardsticks to determine its partisanship or non-partisanship as the 2023 general elections draw near.
By not presenting his basic certificates as required by law for those running for political offices in the country, Frank insisted that Tinubu stands automatically disqualified from partaking in the presidential race.
According to him, inconsistencies in Tinubu’s several depositions over the years before INEC, show that he is either being evasive or attempting a cover-up, an action he described as a direct breach of the Constitution.
According to him, the United States of America’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had in a letter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), dated July 28, 2011, with File No. 80-LG-C110, made it categorically clear that Tinubu never “enrolled as a student” at the Chicago State University he claimed to have studied.
He insisted that INEC and indeed the APC must answer the following questions to determine if Tinubu can or cannot continue as a presidential candidate:
Did Tinubu attend the primary and secondary school he alluded to in his previous document with INEC?
If in his 2022 INEC form, Tinubu deliberately omitted to include his primary and secondary school, is this not a further proof that he lied in his previously submitted forms to INEC accompanied by affidavit?
If he lied about both schools as indicated in his INEC forms, is that not a breach of the law as a public servant?
If he did not attend University of Chicago at the time he stated in his affidavit previously submitted to INEC, is he still qualified to continue as APC’s Presidential candidate?
If the above questions are answered in the negative, is Tinubu still fit to proceed as candidate of the APC in the forthcoming presidential election?
Above all, he wondered whether the APC lacked competent members with requisite, authentic and impeccable educational qualifications instead of always assailing the good sense of Nigerians with candidates of doubtful academic background.
“Nigerians and indeed the international community are watching the INEC to see if it will be faithful to its role as an unbiased umpire by disqualifying Tinubu or it will retain him and kickstart a hailstorm of confusion that may ultimately rubbish its integrity in conducting the 2023 general elections,” Frank declared.
***Dr. Agbo Major Emerges National Chairman
The National Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr. Agbo Major, has announced the sweeping reforms within the party following its just-concluded National Convention in Lagos. Addressing a press conference at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, Dr. Major confirmed the ratification of new leadership and the official expulsion of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Buba Galadima, and the entire Kwankwassiya faction.
The convention, held at Rockview Hotel in Apapa, Lagos on February 4, 2025, came after months of legal tussles and internal strife. Dr. Major emphasized that the party’s actions were in full compliance with the Abia High Court judgment delivered on November 1, 2024, which mandated the Board of Trustees (BOT), led by Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam, to take control of the party pending the resolution of court cases.
Major decision at the convention included the ratification of all congresses from the ward to zonal levels, expulsion of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Buba Galadima, and the Kwankwassiya group following the expiration of the MOU that facilitated their entry into the NNPP.
Others are the election of a new National Working Committee led by Dr. Agbo Major as National Chairman and the rejection of the controversial logo change and reinstatement of the party’s original basket of fruits on the Nigerian map emblem.
Dr. Major did not hold back in criticizing the Kwankwassiya faction, labeling them as “unemployed characters” and “sinking clowns” attempting to destabilize the party.
He singled out Dr. Ahmed Ajuji for spreading misinformation, accusing him of misleading Nigerians about court judgments and the party’s internal affairs.
“It’s unfortunate that at this stage of our national life, a misguided and obviously mentally unstable Dr. Ajuji would make such claims,” Dr. Major stated.
He further accused Ajuji of ignoring critical judgments, including a Federal High Court ruling in Kano that affirmed the legitimacy of candidates presented by the Dr. Agbo Major-led NNPP for the Kano local government elections.
The NNPP’s leadership also confirmed that all necessary documentation has been submitted to INEC, and changes in party records are expected in the coming days. Dr. Major urged INEC to uphold the rule of law and reflect the party’s new leadership structure in its records.
In a firm warning, Dr. Major called on the remaining members of the Kwankwassiya faction to peacefully exit the party, advising them to seek political relevance elsewhere.
“It is our hope that any other political party will consider their treacherous and deceitful antecedents before welcoming them,” he added.
The NNPP leadership remains focused on consolidating its gains and preparing for the 2027 general elections. Dr. Major concluded by urging the press to disregard distractions from expelled members and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to unity and progress.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is reportedly considering suspending its 2023 Adamawa State gubernatorial candidate, Senator Aishatu Binani, over her recent meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at her residence in Abuja.
According to reliable sources within the ruling party, the APC hierarchy is concerned about the political implications of the meeting, which some party insiders perceive as an act of disloyalty.
While official reasons for the potential suspension remain unclear, it is believed that Binani’s engagement with Atiku, a leading figure in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), may have influenced the party’s stance.
There has been no official confirmation from the APC, but sources suggest discussions are ongoing at the highest levels of the party. More details are expected to emerge in the coming days
The Obidient Movement has debunked reports claiming it has joined the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), labeling the news as misleading and false.
In a statement issued by Hon. Chidiebere Darlington Anyanwu, Personal Assistant on Media & Publicity to Dr. Tanko Yunusa, the National Coordinator of the movement, the leadership clarified that it has not aligned with any political party or coalition.
The disclaimer followed the circulation of a video showing members of the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM) in a meeting with the ADC’s national leadership.
The movement stressed that COPDEM is merely a support group and does not represent or have the authority to negotiate on behalf of the Obidient Movement.
Reaffirming its commitment, the statement assured supporters that the movement remains focused on working with critical stakeholders and like-minded Nigerians to advance the vision of His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi.
“This propaganda is a deliberate attempt to undermine and derail the activities of the Obidient Movement, which remains solidly behind Peter Obi in the pursuit of a new Nigeria,” the statement concluded.
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