Atiku disagree over certificate Tinubu submitted to INEC

In the midst of the political fervor surrounding the upcoming 2023 Nigerian Presidential election, a controversy has arisen over the authenticity of President Bola Tinubu's academic credentials. The issue at hand revolves around the certificate that President Tinubu presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as part of his candidacy requirements. This certificate has come under scrutiny, with allegations of forgery being raised. The situation has sparked a series of responses from key figures in Nigerian politics.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, has vehemently refuted claims that President Tinubu's certificate is forged. In a statement released, Ajayi pointed out that the controversy arose from the testimony of Chicago State University (CSU), where it was alleged that the President presented a fake degree certificate to INEC. However, Ajayi clarified that CSU did not explicitly label the certificate as fake in their deposition. Instead, they affirmed under oath that President Tinubu attended and graduated from the institution. Furthermore, CSU clarified that they do not handle replacements for lost certificates.

Ajayi further emphasized that it is illogical to accuse someone of forging documents they already possess, stating, "A man cannot forge the academic records he possesses. You can only forge what you don't have."

The controversy surrounding President Tinubu's academic records drew a response from Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar. Tuggar dismissed the issue as a distraction and trivial matter, asserting that the administration does not have time to waste on such issues. He cited the example of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who faced similar challenges regarding his academic qualifications. Tuggar emphasized that international leaders and organizations have not shown significant interest in the controversy and encouraged Nigerians to focus on the pressing issues facing the nation

Paul Ibe, Special Adviser to former Vice President and PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, strongly disagreed with Minister Tuggar's comments, describing them as "irresponsible and shameful." Ibe reference.d the recent deposition from CSU, which suggests that President Tinubu may have forged his academic records. He called into question Tuggar's stance, asking whether it amounted to validating forgery and perjury. Ibe also hinted at the possibility of legal action in response to the CSU's disclosures.

The Labor Party (LP) expressed concerns over the impact of the academic certificate controversy on Nigeria's image in the international community. Obiora Ifoh, the National Publicity Secretary of the LP, stressed that the issue extended beyond the question of whether President Tinubu attended CSU. He raised concerns about the message Nigeria was sending to the rest of the world and the responsibilities of the nation's institutions in ensuring proper processes. The LP stated its intent to await the Supreme Court's final decision on the matter before taking further action.

As the controversy surrounding President Tinubu's academic credentials continues to unfold, it not only highlights the complexities of Nigeria's political landscape but also raises questions about the nation's commitment to transparency and accountability in its leadership. With the 2023 Presidential election drawing closer, the outcome of this dispute may significantly impact the trajectory of Nigerian politics.