Buhari’S Eligibility: My Case Not Withdrawn- Hon Daunemigha

Following the recent withdrawal of suits challenging the eligibility of the President-elect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, to contest the March 28, 2015, presidential election, one of the three plaintiffs, Hon Donald Daunemigha, said his matter was still in court.

Daunemigha who told journalists yesterday in Abuja said the news being reported that all plaintiffs have withdrawn their suits challenging Buhari’s eligibility was not true.

He said: “I filed the suit no. FHC/ABJ/116/16 through my lawyer, Mr. Douye Fiderekumo on February 12, 2015, at the Federal High Court, Abuja challenging the eligibility of Gen Muhammadu Buhari to contest the earlier scheduled February 14, 2015, presidential election as the flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and was later postponed to March 28, 2015.

“It is not true as reported by some sections of the media that I also withdrew my suit along with the two other plaintiffs who also challenged Gen Buhari’s eligibility.

“The suit was filed against Buhari because he failed to submit his certificate of academic qualifications to the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) but instead swore an affidavit which he claimed that all his academic certificate were with the secretary of the Army board, a claim which was later denied by the army.”

He said the case came up for hearing on Thursday April 23, 2015, at the Federal High Court, in court 6 of the Abuja Division but was later adjourned to June 15, 2015, for hearing following the absence of the trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola.

However, he maintained that his suit was not being withdrawn from the court because he has the conviction about his argument that Buhari was not eligible to contest the March 28, 2015 presidential election, and also expressed optimism that justice will prevail based on the rule of law.

“I am still standing on my conviction about the matter and that is why I am still in court. I expect that justice prevail since the court is the hope of the common man.

“I want to believe also that the rule of law is upheld by every Nigerian, and anything short of that should not be overlooked. And I will remain in court with this suit until I see a logical conclusion of it,” Daunemigha stated.