Bisina SomtoThe Chicago State University (CSU) has complied with a United States court order and released the academic records of President Bola Tinubu to his political rival, Atiku Abubakar.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria’s 25 February election, had requested these documents to substantiate his allegations of forgery of Mr. Tinubu’s CSU certificate.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIf these allegations are proven true, it could render Mr. Tinubu ineligible for the election he won. This article explores the significance of this release and the potential implications for Nigerian politics.
This order was given after dismissing Mr. Tinubu’s objection to a previous decision by a magistrate judge. The presiding judge, Nancy Maldonado, firmly upheld the ruling, emphasizing Atiku’s right to access the records.
CSU, in compliance with the court’s order, produced a set of documents related to Mr. Tinubu’s education at the institution. This cache of documents included certificates issued to other individuals around the same time Mr. Tinubu graduated in 1979.
Additionally, the records contained Mr. Tinubu’s admission history and a letter dated 27 June 2022, confirming his enrolment at CSU from August 1977 to June 1979, where he majored in accounting and was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Honors on 22 June 1979.
One of Atiku’s crucial requests was to compare Mr. Tinubu’s diploma certificate with those issued to other students in 1979. While CSU did produce copies of three other diploma certificates from that year, they were unable to locate “a copy of the original diploma it prepared for Mr. Tinubu in 1979.
” This specific document is at the heart of Atiku’s legal challenge against Mr. Tinubu’s victory in the presidential election.
Atiku’s interest in obtaining these documents stems from his claim that Mr. Tinubu forged the diploma certificate he presented to Nigeria’s electoral body, INEC, during the 2023 presidential election. He argues that this alleged forgery goes to the heart of Mr. Tinubu’s eligibility to contest the election.
Although Atiku lost his initial case against Mr. Tinubu in the Presidential Election Petition Court, he is now seeking to reintroduce the issue backed by the CSU documents in his appeal at the Nigerian Supreme Court.
Mr. Tinubu vehemently opposed the release of the documents to Atiku on two grounds. Firstly, he argued that the Nigerian election proceedings and courts had already rejected the documents Atiku sought. Secondly, he contended that Atiku’s request was overly intrusive and allowed for a fishing expedition into his private educational records.
However, Judge Maldonado clarified that her decision did not imply a judgment on the merit of Atiku’s allegations against Mr. Tinubu or the validity of Nigeria’s presidential election. She emphasized that her ruling solely affirmed Atiku’s right to access the CSU documents.
The judge stated, “The Court simply finds, on the narrow question before it, that Mr. Abubakar is entitled to the production of documents and testimony that he seeks from CSU.”
The release of President Bola Tinubu’s academic records from CSU has far-reaching implications for Nigerian politics. Atiku’s persistence in seeking these documents underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
If the documents reveal any irregularities in Mr. Tinubu’s academic history, it could have profound consequences, including potential legal challenges and questions about the legitimacy of his presidency.
Somto is an Entertainment Reporter with a passion for uncovering the latest stories in the world of entertainment. As a dedicated journalist, Somto delivers in-depth reporting, exclusive interviews, and breaking news coverage.
She covers a wide range of topics, from celebrity interviews to industry trends and film reviews.
As an Entertainment Reporter for Prime Business Africa, She continues to provide comprehensive and insightful coverage of the entertainment industry, offering readers an insider's perspective on the latest developments and trends. She is a trusted source for breaking news, exclusive interviews, and thought-provoking analyses.
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