Certificate Verification Hurdle at Chicago University Halts Atiku’s Case, Raises Questions for President Tinubu

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, is stirring up the waters of Nigerian politics by questioning the academic background of President Bola Tinubu. Atiku is seeking clarification from Chicago State University (CSU) regarding the certificates it issued to President Tinubu. 

This comes after Atiku noted a discrepancy between Tinubu’s past statements about his academic history and the most recent claims made in 2023. On social media, Atiku expressed his bafflement about how Tinubu could have a university degree without primary or secondary education.

Atiku Abubakar push for academic transparency

Atiku Abubakar is stirring up the waters of Nigerian politics by questioning the academic background of President Bola Tinubu. Atiku is seeking clarification from Chicago State University regarding the certificates it issued to President Tinubu. This comes after Atiku noted a discrepancy between Tinubu’s past statements about his academic history and the most recent claims made in 2023. On social media, Atiku expressed his concern about how Tinubu could have a university degree without primary or secondary education.

Chicago State University’s answer to court orders

Atiku Abubakar approached a United States court for the Northern District of Illinois, seeking an order that compels Chicago State University to release Tinubu’s academic records. These records, Atiku argues, are essential for resolving doubts surrounding the president’s academic credentials, which have become a topic of public interest in Nigeria. 

CSU has stated that they will release the academic records of President Tinubu if a United States court grants the order. However, they also argue that the scope of Atiku’s request, which includes information spanning a 44-year period and employment details of a former CSU employee, is “clearly inappropriate.”

How Nigerians are reacting 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential election, a declaration challenged by Atiku and Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party. While the Presidential Elections Petitions Tribunal reserves judgment, public opinion is split. 

Bala Ibrahim, the Publicity Director of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accuses Atiku of acting like a “bad sportsman,” suggesting that Atiku is using this issue to spite the system and the president. Meanwhile, Peter Obi, who also contested the presidential seat, has kept relatively quiet but is believed to agree with Atiku.

As the court case in the United States awaits a final ruling, all eyes will be on how Chicago State University responds and what impact it may have on the already heated political atmosphere in Nigeria. The ongoing saga continues to stir debate and speculation, not only regarding President Bola Tinubu’s academic credentials but also the state of political integrity in Nigeria.