Buhari, governors don’t need WAEC certificate to get into office in Nigeria –Keyamo

President Muhammadu Buhari 2019 Presidential Campaign Director, Strategic Communications, Festus Keyamo (SAN), on Monday asserted that the President or any other Nigerian do not need a West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate to become president or governor.

According to him, there are no provisions in the Nigerian Constitution stipulating that an aspirant must possess a WAEC certificate to occupy either of the above positions.

Keyamo had earlier stated, when he appeared on Channels 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.

“By the definition of “School Certificate or its equivalent” in section 318 of the 1999 const. 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”

Keyamo had stated this in responding to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) argument that President Muhammadu Buhari did not deserve to run for presidency because of the controversies over his WAEC certificate.

Continuing the argument on series of tweets on Monday, Keyamo wrote on his Twitter handle: “Let me end my free lecture series by saying that the crux of the matter is that if you don’t have a WAEC certificate, there’s no need to go ahead and forge one in a bid to be Governor or President. You can still be qualified, regardless. That’s the mistake made in #OsunCaseScenario.

READ ALSO: Northern elders accuse Buhari of ‘irresponsibility of governance’

“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?”

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