Candidates with forged credentials will be prosecuted – INEC

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, yesterday said INEC would collaborate with the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission to prosecute candidates who submitted forged academic credentials.

He spoke at a meeting on the collaboration for effective tax compliance of political office holders, convened by the Joint

Tax Board (JTB).

“We are already collaborating with the ICPC which is prosecuting candidates who submitted fake or forged academic credentials to INEC as a result of which elections were nullified by the election petition tribunals.

“Beyond the nullification of elections, such persons should be prosecuted. And I am happy that the ICPC is handling that responsibility.

“Let me assure you that INEC is in collaboration with ICPC, the Code of Conduct Bureau in our efforts to make Nigeria a better place and to ensure that persons who are elected comply with the laws of the land and are suitably qualified to hold public trust,” Yakubu said.

He Nigeria must be a democratic nation for all and not just a plutocracy for a few people evading taxes.

He noted that no specific law makes it mandatory for candidates for elections to present evidence of tax payment before they could contest election.

“All candidates for elected offices are required to complete the INEC nomination forms and to swear to an affidavit that they have fully and faithfully provided the requisite information to the commission.

“We will collaborate with sister agencies to provide whatever information you require to facilitate your constitutional roles,” he said.