“Who Really Walked the Halls of Chicago State University With You?” – Atiku Questions Tinubu’s Ties to Alex Zingman

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to come clean on his relationship with Belarusian businessman Alex Zingman, after Tinubu claimed Zingman was his classmate at Chicago State University (CSU).

The statement, issued Tuesday by the Atiku Media Office, cast doubt on the credibility of Tinubu’s assertion, pointing out discrepancies in public records. Zingman was born in 1966, which would have made him only 13 years old in 1979 — the year Tinubu says he graduated from CSU.

“Are we now to believe that the Guinness Book of Records missed the story of a 13-year-old Belarusian prodigy graduating from an American university alongside Bola Ahmed Tinubu?” the statement asked.

It also raised concerns over broader inconsistencies in the President’s academic history, including the absence of verifiable classmates and a certificate allegedly issued by a school before its founding.

“Nigerians deserve to know why the mystery around your academic record deepens with every attempt to clarify it. Who truly walked the halls of Chicago State University with you?” Atiku’s media team stated.

Zingman, who has been linked to controversial international business dealings, has emerged as a figure of interest, with calls growing louder for Tinubu to clarify the nature of their association.

“Mr. President, Nigerians deserve to know the nature of your relationship with Alex Zingman and whether he was indeed your classmate,” the statement added.

The Atiku camp concluded by stressing the importance of honesty and accountability in leadership: “The Presidency is not a sanctuary for secrets — it is a platform for integrity.”

As of press time, the Presidency has not issued a response.