Another attempt has been made to halt Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s inauguration as president-elect, as a civil society organization, Advocacy for Societal Rights Advancement and Development Initiative (ASRADI), has approached a federal high court in Abuja to stop his inauguration for lying about his alleged dual citizenship.

In a motion ex parte filed with case number FHC/ABJ/CS/669/2023, ASRADI charged Tinubu with failing to disclose his ownership of a Guinea passport on the INEC form EC9 which he swore to on June 14, 2022.

In the affidavit submitted by its lawyer, Mr Chukwunweike Okafor, the group claimed that the suit against the president-elect is to make the police conduct an investigation on the president-elect prior to the inauguration ceremony, which takes place on May 29, 2023.

Accusing the president-elect of committing perjury, the group is seeking “A declaration that by virtue of the provisions of Section 215(1)(a) and 2 of the Constitution and Sections 31 and 32 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, the respondent is under both constitutional and statutory obligation to investigate Tinubu for the offence of perjury contained in the INEC Form EC9 sworn to by him on June 14, 2022, regarding his Guinean citizenship”.

The CSO also sought “an order of mandamus compelling the respondent to investigate the fillings made by Bola Ahmed Tinubu in respect of his Guinean citizenship contained in INEC Form EC9 sworn to by him on June 14, 2022, and where he is found culpable of the offence of perjury, refer him to the Attorney General of the Federation for prosecution”.

It further prayed to the court to “compel the respondent to investigate and prosecute Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the offence of perjury before May 29, 2023, which is the date of the swearing-in of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

The CSO also urged the court to hear the matter before May 29th, 2023, to stop the inauguration ceremony.

Meanwhile the President-elect keeps making plans that will enable him to hit the ground running from day one even as he receives more recognition from the international community. The secretary of State of the United States of America, Antony J. Blinken in a telephone conversation with the President-elect, expressed his country’s commitment to his administration.

In a statement released on Tuesday by Mr Blinken’s spokesperson, Matthew Miller, the conversation with Mr Tinubu was to further solidify ties between the US and Nigeria’s inclusive government and to enhance security and economic growth under the incoming administration.

The telephone conversation was also confirmed by Mr. Tunde Rahmam, the Media Aide to the President-elect.

Tinubu pledges to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy in talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Nigeria’s President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised to hit the ground running and unify the country upon his assumption of office on May 29. He also pledged to ensure positive relations with the United States.

Asíwájú Tinubu made the pledges during a telephone conversation Tuesday night with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Initiated by the US diplomat, the telephone discussion was frank and friendly.

The President-elect said that among his immediate priorities would be to deliver institutional reforms and development programs to deepen our democratic institutions and bring help to poor and vulnerable Nigerians. He also expressed his determination to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and faithfully serve the people as their president.

During the talks that lasted about 20 minutes, President-elect Tinubu spoke about his eventful sojourn in America in the 70s, where he graduated with honours as an accountant in 1979.

He also recalled how he was granted asylum by the US when, due to his determined struggle for democracy in Nigeria, he was forced into exile by the late General Sani Abacha’s military junta.

While affirming his democratic bonafides, President-elect Tinubu expressed his absolute belief that the result of the elections, which he clearly won, reflected the will of the Nigerian people.

He said he would work to unite the country and ensure that Nigerians are happy and enjoy the benefits of democracy and progressive good governance.

Responding to Secretary Blinken, the President-elect said without national unity, security, economic development and good governance, Nigeria would not become a better place to live in or play her proper role in the comity of African nations.

He urged the US to factor in Nigeria’s important place in Africa and provide needed assistance in the areas of security and economic investment in order for the nation to lead the way and be a shining example to the rest of the continent.