Victoria Tokolo
Human Global Resource Initiative, Human Rights Monitoring Agenda and Buna Olaitan Isiak have filed a suit against Ogun State Governor, Prince Adedapo Oluseun Abiodun, over alleged discrepancies in his educational qualifications submitted ahead of the 2014, 2019 and 2023 general elections.
The suit, marked FHC/L/CS/2026, is before the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division.
Other respondents in the matter include the Department of State Services (DSS), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Labour Party.
In the originating summons, the applicants are asking the court to determine whether the declaration on oath made by Governor Abiodun on December 15, 2014, stating that he attended the University of Ife, Ile-Ife, in 1986 and Kennesaw State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, in 1989, as submitted to INEC, was truthful.
The plaintiffs also want the court to determine whether discrepancies in the governor’s stated primary school education amount to false declaration under the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
According to the applicants, in one instance the governor stated that he attended International Primary School, Ayetoro, in 1971, while in INEC Form CF001 he allegedly listed Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro State Primary School, as reflected in exhibits attached to the suit.
The applicants further asked the court to determine whether what they described as “material contradictions, inconsistencies and concealments” in INEC Forms dated December 15, 2014; December 15, 2018; and June 30, 2022 amount to false declarations under the Constitution.
They also raised questions regarding his participation in the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, arguing that having declared he graduated in 1986 at the age of 26, he ought to have participated in the programme.
In addition, the applicants alleged that the governor failed to disclose an alleged indictment and imprisonment in 1986, as referenced in an exhibit attached to the suit, in his INEC Forms submitted in 2014, 2018 and 2022.
They contended that such omission constitutes material concealment under Sections 66(1)(i) and 182(1)(j) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as Section 29(4), (5), (6) and (8) of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended).
The plaintiffs are seeking declarations that Governor Abiodun is constitutionally disqualified from contesting elections into any public office in Nigeria. They are also asking for orders restraining INEC and political parties from nominating, accepting or recognising him as a candidate for any elective office.
The suit is supported by a 40-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Buna Olaitan Isiak in his capacity as Executive Director of the applicant organisations.
The case was filed by Professor Yemi Oke, SAN, alongside Sandra Idedia and Oluwatobi Adeniregun.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official response from Governor Abiodun or the other respondents named in the suit.
