Controversy Surrounding Tinubu’s Academic Records Puts Nigeria’s Reputation at Risk, Says Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised concerns about the impact of the ongoing controversy surrounding the academic records of President Bola Tinubu on Nigeria’s reputation. Atiku expressed his apprehension on Thursday, emphasizing the need for relevant stakeholders to uncover the truth about the certificate submitted by the President to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The reputation of our country is at stake, and that affects Nigerians everywhere and wherever they may be,” Atiku remarked.

The issue stems from the submission of President Tinubu’s academic records from Chicago State University (CSU) to INEC. The university released these records on Monday, with CSU Registrar Carl Westberg personally attesting to their authenticity on Tuesday, following a court ruling by Magistrate Jeffrey Gilbert on September 19.

Atiku had initially requested the release of Tinubu’s academic records, a request that was granted by Magistrate Gilbert. However, President Tinubu’s legal team objected to the relevance of these records to Atiku’s appeal against him at the Supreme Court and sought a review of the ruling.

Federal Judge Nancy Maldonado ultimately overruled Tinubu’s objections and ordered CSU to release the President’s academic records.

The CSU documents confirmed that Tinubu attended the institution but they did not issue the certificate Tinubu submitted to INEC. Despite this, the Presidency maintained on Wednesday that the released academic records vindicated the President, asserting his status as an alumnus of the university. Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Affairs, further clarified that CSU had not stated in its deposition that the certificate submitted to INEC before the presidential election by Tinubu was forged.

In light of these developments, Atiku, having obtained Tinubu’s academic records on the court’s order, is set to file his application at the Supreme Court on Thursday. Atiku, who contested against Tinubu in the February presidential election under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party, will use the documents acquired from CSU to bolster his election appeal at the highest court in the land.

More to follow ……..