The Center for Reform and Public Advocacy has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to arrest and prosecute the All Progressive Congress (APC) Vice Presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima, for alleged double nominations for the 2023 general election, Charmingpro reports
Shettima, who will run alongside former Lagos State Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the APC presidential election next year, is accused of being nominated twice by the party for two different constituencies at the same time, in violation of the Electoral Act 2022.
According to the petition, Shettima signed both the INEC form EC9 on oath as the APC candidate for Borno Central Senatorial District of Borno State for the 2023 general elections and another INEC form EC9 as the APC’s Vice Presidential candidate, which is thought to be illegal.
Shetima is accused of specifically violating sections 115(d) and (k) of the Electoral Act 2022 by signing two nomination forms for two different constituencies, which carries a two-year prison sentence if convicted.
In the petition, signed by the group’s Legal Adviser and received by the IGP’s office on July 29, the group claimed to be a non-governmental organization dedicated to establishing good governance, accountability, probity, and transparency in public institutions.
The group’s complaint was that Shettima willingly engaged in double nominations while under oath, in violation of the Electoral Act, 2022, and should be arrested and tried by the police as required by law.
“That the All Progressives Congress, APC, in compliance with Section 29 of the Electoral Act, 2022, submitted the name of Senator Kashim Shetima to the Independent National Electoral Commission as its candidate for Borno Central Senatorial District of Borno State for the 2023 general election,” according to the petition obtained by Charmingpro correspondent.
“That Senator Kashim Shetima signed the INEC EC9 form on oath as the APC candidate for Borno Central Senatorial District of Borno State in the 2023 general election.”
“That INEC, in accordance with Section 29 of the Electoral Act 2022, published the name of Senator Kashim Shetima as the APC candidate for Borno Central Senatorial District of Borno State in the general election of 2023 on June 24, 2022.”
“That, following the said publication of Senator Kashim Shetima, the APC submitted Senator Kashim Shetima’s name to INEC as its Vice Presidential Candidate for the 2023 Presidential election on July 15, 2022.”
“That Senator Kashim Shetima also signed on oath the INEC EC9 form, which is his nomination form as the APC’s Vice Presidential Candidate for the 2023 presidential election.”
“The Borno Central Senatorial District of Borno State and the position of Vice President are two distinct constituencies.” pp
“Section 115 (1) (d) states that anyone who signs a nomination paper or result form as a candidate in more than one constituency at the same election commits an offense and faces up to two years in prison if convicted.”
“According to Section 115(1)(k), a person who signs a nomination paper consenting to be a candidate at an election knowing that he or she is ineligible to be a candidate at that election commits an offence and is punishable by up to two years in prison if convicted.”
“That Senator Kashim Shetima violated section 115 (1) (d)(k) of the Electoral Act 2022 by signing two nomination papers for two different constituencies.”
“On the basis of the foregoing, and having established a prima facie criminal case against Senator Kashim Shetima, we respectfully demand his arrest and criminal prosecution for violating section 115 (1) (d) (k) of the Electoral Act 2022.”
