Tribunal Dismisses Atiku’s Dual Citizenship, Drug Conviction Allegations Against Tinubu

The Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC) has ruled on the allegations brought forth by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, against President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Atiku had accused Tinubu of holding dual citizenship and having a drug conviction in the United States.

Atiku, therefore, claimed that Tinubu was not qualified to contest the presidential election held on February 25.

But, a member of the panel of Justices of the Court, Justice Moses Ugo, while delivering judgement following objections raised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Bola Tinubu concerning Atiku’s claims, declared that the grounds of Atiku’s allegations were considered new issues, and, therefore, they could not be accepted as part of the petition.

The objections raised by the APC and Tinubu were upheld, as they argued that Atiku and the PDP had introduced new issues not previously pleaded in their petition regarding non-qualification.

Atiku, in his response to Tinubu’s challenge, contended that he was constitutionally barred from running for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria due to his forfeiture of $460,000 as part of a compromise agreement related to narcotics-related crimes. This forfeiture took place in the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division.

It could also be recalled that Atiku claimed Tinubu had failed to disclose his dual citizenship, which included Nigerian and Guinean citizenship.

The Tribunal has dismissed both claims by Atiku.