President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 Presidential Campaign Director, Strategic Communications, Festus Keyamo (SAN), on Monday affirmed that the President or any other Nigerian does not need a West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate to become president or governor.
According to him, the Nigerian Constitution does not stipulate that an aspirant must possess a WAEC certificate to occupy either of the above positions.
Keyamo had earlier stated in an interview on Sunday that “Section 318 of the 1999 Constitution defines ‘School Certificate or its equivalent’ to mean primary 6 School Leaving Certificate plus the ability to just speak, write, understand and communicate in English language to the satisfaction of INEC.
“By the definition of “School Certificate or its equivalent” in section 318 of the 1999 const. you don’t need a WAEC certificate to become President or Governor, but if you present a FORGED WAEC or other certificate to INEC for any office you will be disqualified. #OsunStateScenario”
He stated this in response to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) allegation at the election tribunal that President Muhammadu Buhari is not worthy to run for presidency because of the controversies over his WAEC certificate.
In continuity to the argument via his twitter handle on Monday, Keyamo wrote “Let me end my free lecture series by saying that the crux of the matter is that if you don’t have a WAEC certificate, there’s no need to go ahead and forge one in a bid to be Governor or President. You can still be qualified, regardless. That’s the mistake made in #OsunCaseScenario.
“Forgery occurs when the supposed author of a document denies ever making it or denies its authenticity. WAEC has confirmed the authenticity of PMB’s certificate by issuing an attestation of it. Case closed. In #OsunCaseScenario WAEC has denied the authenticity. See d difference?”
