At a world press conference on Thursday, Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, brought forward several allegations concerning the Chicago State University (CSU) certificate submitted by President Bola Tinubu.
Atiku had challenged Tinubu’s victory in court, asserting that discrepancies in Tinubu’s educational documents should render him ineligible to contest the election.
During the press conference, Atiku’s lawyer, Kalu Kalu, raised seven main allegations against the president.
They are:
- Forgery Allegation: Atiku’s legal team alleged that Tinubu forged the CSU certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), casting doubt on the document’s authenticity.
- Gender Discrepancy: It has been claimed that Tinubu’s Southwest College Certificate, which he used to apply to CSU, states ‘Female’ as his gender, raising questions about its accuracy and authenticity.
- Inaccurate Graduation Year: Atiku’s team points out that Tinubu’s CSU admission form indicates that he attended Government College and graduated in 1970. However, there’s an inconsistency as the school was reportedly established in 1974.
- Identity Concerns: The documents used by Tinubu to apply to CSU allegedly belong to a black American female, further complicating the validity of his academic records.
- Dual Citizenship Denial: On his INEC form, Tinubu denied having dual citizenship, implying that the CSU admission letter may not belong to him, raising questions about its legitimacy.
- Name Discrepancy: Atiku’s legal team highlights that the documents indicate the initial ‘A’ in Bola A Tinubu is ‘Ahmed,’ but on the NYSC certificate he submitted, it is listed as ‘Adekunle.’ This inconsistency adds to the uncertainty surrounding his documents.
- Legal Implication: Atiku’s lawyer asserts that the Supreme Court can accept new evidence if specific requirements are met, claiming that Atiku has fulfilled all the requirements.
Legal experts say the allegations have the potential to significantly impact the ongoing legal battle and the overall political landscape in Nigeria.
The authenticity of educational qualifications is a crucial issue in determining a candidate’s eligibility for public office, and the case underscores the importance of transparency and adherence to electoral laws.
