The chances of Nigeria’s former vice president, Atiku Abubakar winning the 2023 presidential election might have suffered a setback.
This is as a suit seeking to disqualify him is presently in court.
However, the politician has asked the Abuja division of the Federal High Court to dismiss the suit which is seeking to stop him from contesting in future presidential elections.
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The legal action challenging Atiku’s eligibility to contest for the presidency was filed by a group under the aegis of the Incorporated Trustees of Egalitarian Mission for Africa.
According to the plaintiff, Atiku is not a Nigerian by birth and thus not eligible to contest to become the president of Nigeria.
The group stated that considering the circumstances surrounding Atiku’s birth, he was born in Northern Cameroon in 1957 prior to the referendum of June 1, 1961, that made Northern Cameroon became part of Nigeria.
In a 28-paragraphed counter-affidavit deposed on his behalf by one Nanchang Ndam, the former vice president said the case challenging his eligibility should be dismissed entirely. In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/177, Atiku and other defendants including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Attorney-General of the federation said the case lacked merit.
In the preliminary objection jointly filed with the PDP, Atiku maintained that he is a bonafide citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The court has adjourned the case to May 4, stressing that the substantive suit would be heard alongside Atiku’s preliminary objection. It ordered service of hearing notice on all the parties.
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