PDP asks court to disqualify Gombe governor, deputy over ‘certificate forgery’

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe has filed a suit before a federal high court in Abuja, seeking the disqualification of Inuwa Yahaya, the governor, and Jatau Daniel, his deputy, from the 2023 governorship election over alleged certificate forgery.

The PDP, in an originating summons filed on its behalf by Arthur Okafor, and J.J Usman, senior advocates of Nigeria, alleged that Yahaya and his deputy made false claims in forms EC-9 submitted to INEC.

This, according to the party, is a disqualifying ground under sections 177(d) and 182(1)(j) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The plaintiffs alleged that in 2022, Yahaya submitted form EC-9 (affidavit of personal particulars of person seeking election into the office of governor of Gombe state) where he stated that he worked in the Bauchi State Investment Company Ltd in 1984, A.Y.U & Co. Ltd between 1985-2003 as against what he deposed to in 2018.

“That Yahaya in 2018 while presenting his personal particulars to INEC to participate in the Gombe state governorship election, stated in his INEC FORM CF001 that he worked with A.Y.U & Co. Ltd. from 1980 to 1990,” they said.

“That, however, in 2022, the same Inuwa stated in his INEC FORM EC-9 that he worked with A.Y.U. & Co Ltd from 1985 – 2003.

“The governor by his INEC FORM CF001 has stated under oath that in 1980 -1990, he worked with A.Y.U. & Co Ltd.

“However, in 2022, the same Inuwa stated again on oath via his INEC FORM EC-9 that he worked with the same A.Y.U. & Co. Ltd from 1985 – 2003.”

The plaintiffs alleged that Jatau bears different names in his school certificates.

“West African examination Council School Certificate (Daniel Manassah J); University of Maiduguri Certificate (Manassah Daniel Jatau) and National Youth Service Corp Certificate (Daniel Manassah), without a deed poll and any valid change of name attached to his Form EC-9 submitted to INEC,” they alleged.

The plaintiffs also alleged that there were discrepancies in Jatau’s INEC form EC-9 where he stated that he commenced his NYSC after he left the Nigerian Army in July 1980, but submitted an NYSC certificate that stated that he started his service in August 1979 and ended in July 1979.

The plaintiffs argued that the deputy governor, who claimed to be working with the army from the period of August 1979 till July 1980, submitted an NYSC discharge certificate with contrary information.

“The paragraph D of the Jatau’s INEC form EC-9 claimed that he worked for the Nigeria army from July 1979 till August 1980 and his reason for leaving in July 1980 was for the National Youth Service,” they added.

“The form EC-9, being an affidavit on oath, both Yahaya and his deputy, haven made false statement therein, had committed forgery and therefore, not qualified to contest the state election.”