The war between Nigerian’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and the current President Bola Tinubu is surely unending. Any hope the punch from and against each other will end with the ongoing electoral tribunal in Nigeria’s capital Abuja is now a mirage.
The latest news of a fresh case by Atiku against former Lagos State Governor Bola and now Nigeria’s president, Ahmed Tinubu in the United States carries significant implications within the context of Nigerian politics and international legal proceedings.
Nigeria’s former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar by filing this new case is now leading the assault to bring an end to Tinubu’s political empire. This case now developing in faraway United States, underscores the complex interplay between political figures, legal systems, and international relations.
There are major issues to consider in this situation. Legal Jurisdiction and Venue is at top of it. Filing a case in a foreign country, such as the United States, introduces questions about the jurisdiction and venue for the legal proceedings.
The choice of jurisdiction could be influenced by factors such as the perceived fairness of the legal system, availability of legal remedies, and international agreements between Nigeria and the United States.
It is not exactly clear what is the nature of the new case. The specific details and nature of the case filed by Atiku Abubakar against Bola Ahmed Tinubu would determine the legal basis, allegations, and potential consequences.
The typical case against Tinubu usually involves allegations of financial impropriety, corruption, or other legal violations. The burden of proof has never really been easy on his accusers. This onerous responsibility will always rest on the parties involved.
However, on the strength of the recent statement from Atiku’s media aide, in the center of the credibility issue surrounding President Tinubu this time is his inability to put to rest the controversy about his academic qualification. No doubt, there are many other issues, including matters bothering on criminality too.
But Atiku’s new case against President Tinubu’s stems from the fishy undertones concerning his academic record allegedly obtained from the United States. Speaking on this latest suit, Atiku’s media aide, Phrank Shaibu have said:
“In the last one week, Nigerians have been watching the ongoing ministerial screening at the Senate where nominees have been made to reveal their primary, secondary and university history. Some of the ministerial nominees were even classmates with the senators screening them.
“However, the man who nominated them has no educational history. He has no primary school, secondary school or university classmates. This is because he has no classmates. He actually fell from the sky.
“In recent years past Presidents have invited their former classmates to Aso Rock Villa. Even President Muhammadu Buhari hosted his classmates from Katsina Middle School. But who did Bola Tinubu invite to the Presidential Villa? Governors from 1999 set. This is a man whose entire life, background and credentials remain unknown and Atiku will ensure that the man is exposed.”
“It is expected that the person to hold the Office of the President must be above board, especially on his life history.
“Unfortunately, here we have a president whose history is shrouded in secrecy and for whom life started in 1993. Even the year 1993 which presents the opening chapter of the recorded history of our president is renowned for a documented indictment on narcotics trading.
“Now, this is 2023 and Atiku is asking to open the shady history of our president and the same man is standing in the way of the truth about his past. That very obstruction to the innocent effort to unravel the president’s past means that the man has something to hide.
“It is shameful that the President’s supporters are joyful that their man is covering up his own past.
“But like the saying goes: falsehood may run for a lifetime, but the truth shall overrun it in an instant. The moment of truth is here and President Tinubu has no hiding place”.
Another thing to consider is that Tinubu is now the president of a sovereign country. If President Tinubu were still a candidate or just a presidential hopeful, he will be a lighter weight. Now, he embodies the sovereignty of the country. So, right now the issue of international law and international relations are both going to be in play.
Legal cases involving prominent political figures can have diplomatic implications and impact international relations between the countries involved. Such cases may attract attention and scrutiny from diplomatic circles, civil society organizations, and international media.
There is also the question of what exactly is motivating the new case? It would not be a secret that political motivations are in the centre of it. That is a given. The timing of the case and the individuals involved does not just raise these questions about potential political motivations. It also settles it in the affirmative.
Legal actions against political opponents can sometimes be perceived as politically motivated, which may influence public perception and debates surrounding the case.
However, does this mean that President Tinubu does not have some unsettled issues about his past? Surely, he has litany of them, and they work together to create doubts about his credit and suitability to lead Africa’s biggest economy and population.
In the US, public perception is key, and transparency is guaranteed. The president may be in power, but he may not enjoy the power of incumbency far away in a United States court if the issue of jurisdiction does not knock of the case. Unlike the judicial process in Nigeria, both parties have the right to a fair legal process and due process of law.
This includes the right to present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and receive a fair and impartial judgment based on the merits of the case. So, the merits of the case will surely be heard and decided either way.
In conclusion, the news of Atiku Abubakar filing a fresh case against Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the United States raises important considerations related to legal jurisdiction, political motivations, international relations, and due process.
As the case unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments and assess the implications for Nigerian politics, legal accountability, and international perceptions.
