A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kalu Kalu, has petitioned the European Union Commission over allegations involving President Bola Tinubu’s academic credentials and Nigeria’s constitutional order.
Kalu, a lawyer, alleged that Tinubu submitted fraudulent academic certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in connection with the 2027 general elections.
He further accused the President of failing to provide details of the primary and secondary schools he attended in documents submitted to the electoral commission.
According to Kalu, the alleged omissions and submission of false credentials violate constitutional provisions governing eligibility to contest presidential elections in Nigeria.
He specifically cited Section 137 of the 1999 Constitution, arguing that a candidate who presents a forged certificate to INEC is constitutionally barred from seeking election.
Kalu maintained that his petition was aimed at drawing international attention to what he described as a serious threat to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
He alleged that the situation had gone beyond an electoral dispute, claiming that the country’s constitutional framework was being undermined through the exercise of political power.
“Submitting this petition is about calling attention to what I believe is a serious breach of Nigeria’s constitutional order,” Kalu said.
He also alleged that Tinubu’s political control had made it difficult to challenge the issues through domestic institutions.
Kalu said the alleged submission of false credentials should have consequences under the Constitution if established, particularly with the 2027 presidential election approaching.
He submitted the petition on Friday in Brussels, where he called on the European Union to take note of his allegations concerning Nigeria’s political and constitutional system.
However, the allegations contained in the petition remain claims by Kalu and would require verification and appropriate legal determination.
The petition comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to intensify, with parties and political figures increasingly focusing on the eligibility and credentials of prospective candidates.