The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, has told a Federal High court in Abuja that former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, is not eligible to run for presidential elections in Nigeria.
The AGF through his counsel, Oladipo Okpeseyi, told the court that considering the circumstances surrounding his birth, the former vice-president cannot contest for the top office.
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According to him, the defendant was born on the 25th of November 1946 which makes him a Nigerian by virtue of the 1961 plebiscite, but not by birth.
However, Atiku in a notice of objection filed jointly with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) insisted that he is “a patriotic citizen of Nigeria.
The former Vice President asked the court to dismiss the suit for lacking in merit, adding that it was filed in bad faith to stint his integrity.
He also revealed that besides serving as Nigeria’s vice-president from 1999 to 2007, he held many public and private offices, including serving as governor of Adamawa State.
Delivering judgement, the presiding judge, Inyang Ekwo, adjourned till May 4 to hear the suit.
