Like Buhari, Al’Mustapha says his certificate also with Nigerian Army; Duke, Mimiko NYSC certificates missing

Another presidential candidate for the 2019 general elections has also claimed that his credentials are with the Nigerian Army.

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (rtd) who was former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late Gen. Sani Abacha, made the claim in his nomination form to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This is the same claim made by President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Al-Mustapha, had while responding to an applicant’s query about his ‘missing’ credentials, said in his nomination form: “My entire personal documents including my certificates and awards were taken away by the then government in 1998. Formal complaints were registered before High Court of Lagos (2000-2001) and Federal High Court 3 (Lagos Division) 2004-2007 but the government refused to obey court orders till today.

“However, Nigerian Army (my employer-1983 -2013) is in custody of the certificates this applicant is asking of.

“I was a victim of persecution for 15 years (1998-2013 over trump up charges. I was however exonerated and freed of the wanton charges vide Court of Appeal ruling: “Major Hamza Al-Mustapha v, The State CA/L/469a/ 2012”-Judgment delivered on 12th July 2013”, he stated.

Al-Mustapha’s excuse is coming as many Nigerians have continued to attack incumbent President Buhari for claiming that his certificates were with the military in a 2014 affidavit attached to his presidential nomination form.

Aside Buhari, and Al’Mustapha credentials saga, it was also discovered on Friday that of the 79 candidates vying for the 2019 presidential election, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificates of ex-Governor Donald Duke (Social Democratic Party) and Dr. Olusegun Mimiko (Zenith Labour Party) were ‘missing’ from their credentials submitted to INEC.

Duke, in his nomination form, said he “attended the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained a law degree in 1982 and the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Bar in 1983.

“And also attended the University of Pennsylvania in the United States from 1983 to 1984 where he obtained a Master of Laws (LLM).”

He was however silent on his participation in the NYSC scheme.

Similarly, Mimiko was also discovered to have been silent on his NYSC career.

Both candidates are yet to comment on the matter and clarify what possibly happened. There are speculations also that it is possibly INEC’s fault.

Findings shows that 79 candidates including President Buhari, ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-World Bank Vice President, Oby Ezekwesili, Al-Mustapha, Duke and Mimiko, are vying for presidency position in 2019.

READ ALSO: After revelation on Buhari’s certificate, INEC boss meets Chief of Staff Kyari in Aso Rock

Of the 79 candidates, there are only four women who are Ezekwesili; Angela Johnson (Alliance for United Nigeria); Mercy Olufunmilayo Adesanya-Davies (Mass Action Joint Alliance); and Hajia Rabia Yasai Hassan Cengiz (NAC party).

 

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