Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is not eligible under the constitution to contest for president, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has said.
The AGF said Atiku was not born a Nigerian or by Nigerian parents, and having not met the provisions of Sections 25(1) & (2) and 131(a) of the constitution, Atiku would be violating Section 118(1)(k) of the Electoral Act should he put himself forward as candidate.
Malami made these submissions in support of the suit filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja by the Incorporated Trustees of Egalitarian Mission for Africa (EMA), which is challenging Atiku’s eligibility to contest for President.
Malami has also asked the court to hold, among others, that considering the provisions of sections 25(1) &(2) and 131(a) of the constitution and the circumstances surrounding his birth, the former vice president cannot contest for the top office.
Although the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/177/2019 was filed before the 2019 presidential election, it is yet to be heard and determined.
However, it was mentioned on March 15, during which Justice Inyang Ekwo noted that the suit was ripe for hearing and fixed May 4, for that purpose.
