Constitutional crisis imminent, group wants Buhari stopped

A group, Advocacy for Societal Rights Advancement and Development Initiative, on Tuesday filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to stop the swearing in of Muhammadu Buhari as president on Friday, May 29.

They also want the court to issue an order nullifying the certificate of return issued to Buhari by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The plaintiff hinged the suit on the allegation that Buhari did not qualify to contest the presidential election on the grounds that he gave false information about his academic qualification to INEC.

If the wish of the group is granted by the court, then Nigeria may just be facing a constitutional crisis, as the tenure of the ruling government is to expire on May 29, when Buhari is expected to be sworn in.

In the fresh suit filed by its lawyer, Mr. Philip Ekpo, the group alleged that Buhari did not meet the qualification enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act to stand for the March 28, 2015 presidential election.

Between January and February 2015 there were about 10 cases instituted by various plaintiffs challenging Buhari’s eligibility to stand for the poll on the grounds of his academic qualification controversy. But after he won, the cases were withdrawn.

The case has not been assigned to any judge.

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