2023: Incidence of missing certificates plagues APC’s presidential ticket as Masari claims loss in affidavit

Kabiru Masari, running mate to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that his original certificates are missing.

Masari’s filings with the INEC did not include his primary and secondary school certificates.

The disclosure comes amid the controversy over the primary and secondary schools certificates of Tinubu which he did not fill in the relevant form particularising his nomination to the Commission.

Reports said that Masari in the particulars submitted to INEC deposed to an affidavit on the loss of his primary and secondary schools certificates.

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He however said that he attended Masari Primary school, Katsina State between 1972-78 and obtained a Grade 2 Certificate from Katsina Teachers College in 1982 and a Higher Certificate in 1995.

Masari in the sworn affidavit of “Loss of Some Original Documents” obtained from Divisional Police Headquarter, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja attached to the particulars he submitted to INEC, said that in January 2021, while on transit within Wuse, Area FCT, Abuja, he lost his Certificate of Grade 2 Certificate from Katsina Teachers College and First Leaving Primary School Certificate issued by Masari Primary School, Katsina State (1972-78).

He also said that all efforts made to trace the items proved abortive.

Masari’s sworn affidavit read in part: “Ibrahim Kabiru Masari, male, Muslim, Nigerian citizen of Abubakar Rimi Crescent, National Assembly Quarters, Apo, FCT– Abuja, declare an oath and state as follows:

“That I am the above-named persons and bonafide owner of the under-listed documents.

“That sometimes in January 2021, while on transit within Wuse Area, FCT– Abuja, I discovered that my original Certificate of Occupancy of plot NoKT 17522, GRA Katsina Estate; Certificate of Kaduna State Development Centre from 1994-95; Grade 11 Certificate from Katsina Teachers College from 1979-83 and First Leaving School Certificate issued by Masari Primary School Katsina State from 1972-78 got lost.

“That all efforts made to trace the documents proved abortive hence this affidavit.

“That this affidavit is required for record purpose and for all authorities and persons concerned to take note,” the affidavit reads in part.

Recall that Tinubu had chosen Masari as a placeholder to beat INEC’s deadline for submission of names of candidates for the 2023 elections.

The presidential candidate claims that he is searching for a substantive running mate who is a Christian from the northeast to replace the placeholder (Masari) before the substitution window closes in August 2022.