Tinubu, Shettima face disqualification over Muslim-Muslim ticket

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu have been dragged to court for fielding presidential and vice-president candidates who are not Muslims.

An Abuja-based lawyer, Osigwe Momoh in the suit, seeks an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) from publishing the name of the APC presidential candidate in the forthcoming coming elections for violation of the Nigeria Constitution.

The suit marked, FHC/ABJ/CS/1188/2022 claimed that the decision to pick the Party’s presidential flagbearer and the running mate from the same religion violates the principle and the spirit of the Nigeria Constitution.

The plaintiff, (Osigwe Momoh) in the originating summons argued that Political Parties must by virtue of chapter two of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), have their presidential and vice presidential candidate from different sectional, (tribal and religious groups) of the nation.

He therefore seeks a declaration that:
“by virtue of Sections 14 (1) & (3), 15 and 224(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the defendants are bound by the principles of Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and having the presidential and vice presidential candidates of the same religion is unconstitutional and null and void.

“That all Political Parties must by virtue of chapter two of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), have their presidential and vice presidential candidate from different sectional (tribal and religious groups) of the nation.

“An order nullifying the candidacy of APC, Tinubu (1st And 2nd), same being unconstitutional and against the spirit and letters of Sections 14 (1) & (3), 15 and 224 (a) of the amended 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”