Tinubu’s Certificate Saga: The Footlights
The release of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s academic records from Chicago State University (CSU) sparked controversy over his identity and education at the university.
It also casts doubt on the authenticity of the certificate he submitted to Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The top opponent in the February 2023 presidential election, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar had requested CSU academic records to prove that he forged the certificate.
However, the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja dismissed the forgery allegation in September.
Atiku appealed against this judgement at the Supreme Court and hopes to present the CSU documents as evidence of forgery against Mr Tinubu.
The release of the documents has led to speculation about Tinubu’s education and identity at CSU.
The university’s registrar, Mr Westberg, had confirmed that Tinubu attended CSU from August 1977 to June 1979 and was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with Honors majoring in Accounting on June 22, 1979.
He also confirmed that,it was indeed the Nigerian president who graduated from CSU.
It was however, there speculated that, Tinubu used another person’s results named Bola A. Tinubu to gain admission to CSU.
When asked to authenticate the copy of the certificate Tinubu submitted to INEC, Mr Westberg was inconsistent as he initially, said they were not qualified to verify whether it was authentic since it was not in their possession.
He however later confirmed that President Tinubu submitted a different diploma than what was provided in 1979 because Dr Daniel wasn’t at CSU at the time, until much later.
Atiku Rallies Opposition Candidates To Help In Challenging Tinubu’s Academic Records
Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, has called on Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to join his quest for “justice” in the certificate saga involving President Bola Tinubu.
Atiku had requested the release of Tinubu’s certificate from Chicago State University over suspicions that it may not be authentic.
While the school had released the certificate to Atiku’s team, he called on other Nigerians to join his quest for “truth, morality, and accountability” in public affairs.
Tinubu Supporters React
The Deputy leader of Ndigbo in Lagos APC, Sir Jude Idimogu, has appealed to opposition parties to allow President Bola Tinubu to concentrate on governance in the interest of the masses.
He urged politicians against the victory of Tinubu at the Feb. 25 Presidential election and at the court to avoid actions capable of dragging Nigeria’s name in the mud.
He said, the certificate saga levelled against President Tinubu by PDP’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, was described as politics taken too far and capable of destroying the image of the country.
Idimogu stated that Tinubu is a God-sent President to Nigeria and the best the nation can ever have.
He urged Nigerians to give him total and maximum support for him to lead the nation out of her challenges.
