Anti-Buhari Suits Split Jonathan's Camp

There is a split in the camp of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) over the eligibility suit filed against All Progressives Congress(APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

Some PDP stalwarts, especially those from the North, are opposed to the four matters pending in court over Gen. Buhari’s certificate, The Nation learnt yesterday.

It was also learnt that the Presidency is not keen to "support all the applications in court" as it sees the suits as "mere distractions".

There are three suits at the Federal High Court against Gen. Buhari and a criminal matter at a Magistrate's Court on APC's candidate's eligibility.

Some PDP chiefs, especially those from the North and some retired Generals, are uncomfortable with the legal actions.

It was learnt that the grouse of the PDP stalwarts is on the misinterpretation of Section 131 of the 1999 Constitution by those questioning Gen. Buhari's certificate.

Some of the aggrieved PDP leaders and some  strategists  of the President were also angry that a case of alleged  forgery/perjury could be raised against Gen. Buhari.

It was learnt that those unhappy with the suits have started reading "ethnic meanings into the whole drama".

A source said: "Those from the North are shocked that those behind the applications are mostly from the Southeast and a negligible few from the South-south. They are seeing everything from the ethnic angle.

"They also said the matters accounted for part of the reasons Jonathan is losing ground in the North because Northerners see it as signs of desperation."

Another source added: "Some of us believe those behind the suits do not mean well for the President. They should have taken cognizance of past pronouncements by the court on Adams Oshiomhole and Section 131, which says the minimum requirement is the ability to be able to read and write".

But a few others trying to please the President wanted the suits to be pursued to the logical conclusion.

A member of the NWC said: "If some APC sympathisers can go to court to challenge the President on his right to second term, then we felt we must also place some hurdles before Buhari.

"Some of our leaders do not like these suits but we cannot stop our supporters who have genuine reasons to challenge Buhari’s eligibility.

"This is politics. The onus is on Buhari to provide all necessary evidence."

A highly-placed source in the Presidency said: "To the best of our knowledge, these suits are mere distractions. This is why the Presidency has nothing to do with it.

"Let me tell you, some of these applicants and their counsel  have been advised by some government officials to drop the suits."

Responding to a question, the source added: "When these suits get to advanced stage, they may not get the required support from the government."

Section 131 says: "A person shall be qualified for election to the office of President if (a) he is a citizen of Nigeria by birth; (b) he has attained the age of forty (40) years; (c )he is a member of a political party; and (d) he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its  equivalent.

“In  Section 318, School Certificate or equivalent means (a) a Secondary School Certificate or its equivalent, or Grade II Teacher’s Certificate, the City and Guilds Certificate; or (b) education up to Secondary School Certificate level; or (c) Primary Six School Leaving Certificate or its equivalent and (i) service in the public or private sector in the Federation in any capacity acceptable to the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) for a minimum of  10 years; or (ii) attendance at courses and training in such institutions as may be acceptable to the Independent National Electoral Commission for periods totaling up to a minimum of one year, or (iii) the ability to read, write, understand and communicate in the English Language to the satisfaction of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC); and (d) Any other qualification acceptable by INEC."