Timi Frank, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged the European Union (EU), the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to force President Bola Tinubu to resign over certificate forgery.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Frank stated that Tinubu appeared to have faked the certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and that he was constitutionally unable to continue as Nigeria’s President.
According to Platinum Times, officials at Chicago State University (CSU) confirmed under oath on Wednesday that a certain “Bola. A. Tinubu” attended the school, but denied granting Tinubu a diploma certificate.
Frank emphasized that it has been shown beyond reasonable doubt that Tinubu faked the certificate he used to run for president on February 25, 2023.
He added:
“He is duty bound to vacate office as provided for in section 137(1)(j) of the constitution which stipulates that no one would be legitimately elected as President of Nigeria if the person has “presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission.” A constitutional matter with very grave implications.
“So we call on lovers of democracy, former Presidents, Rtd Justices of Supreme Court, traditional rulers, Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, National Association of Nigerian Students, Nigeria Medical Association, Nigerian Bar Association and Civil Society Organizations to prepare for mass action to ensure that Tinubu vacates office as President.
“This is the last opportunity to take back our country from the gang of criminals who have hijacked the country.
“We also call on the authorities of ECOWAS to ask him to vacate the office of the chairman, otherwise, every decision that ECOWAS will take under his leadership will be null and void and will not be respected.
“Under his leadership, ECOWAS will not have credibility to speak on major issues in the continent including the coup in Niger, among others, since his legitimacy has now been eroded by reason of an established act of forgery.”
Frank maintained that Tinubu must not be allowed to proceed as ECOWAS chairman or engage in negotiations on behalf of the sub-regional body because it will not be legitimate.
He insisted that Tinubu needs to vacate office as President of Nigeria because remaining there will continue to set the country back.
“His actions negate democratic standards and charters to which Nigeria, ECOWAS and all African Union (AU) members subscribe,” he stressed.