Mahmood Yakubu, has said those in doubt of credentials submitted by
candidates seeking elections in 2019 can seek legal actions.
Speaking specifically about the personal particulars provided by the
candidates, Yakubu said anyone suspecting false claims has the right to
file legal action against such candidate.
President Muhammadu Buhari had told the commission that his academic
records are still with the military, sparking reactions, especially from
critics of the government.
Addressing a press conference at the commission headquarters on Friday,
Yakubu said any doubt on the forms submitted by the candidates regarding
their personal particulars can be challenged in court.
“Any person with reasonable ground to believe that any information on form
CF001 submitted by a candidate contains incorrect or false claims is at
liberty to file an action against such candidate at the federal high court
or the high court of a state or FCT,” he said.
“While the current exercise is limited to candidates for presidential and
national assembly elections, the personal particulars of those contesting
in governorship and state assemblies elections will be published on
November 9, 2018, one week after the close of submission of nominations by
political parties.”
Mahmood said while the commission is making the particulars of the
candidates known, the public is to seize the opportunity to view the
personal details of the candidates that seek to represent them.
“This is an opportunity for citizens to ascertain the personal details of
the candidates to enable them take informed decisions on election day or
even initiate legal action against candidates who they believe have made
false claims on their forms,” he said.