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Real reasons why APC’s flag bearer, Tinubu has no certificates

Real reasons why APC’s flag bearer, Tinubu has no certificates

The presidentialcandidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), that all his academic certificates are missing.

The former Lagos State governor, who claimed he had two degrees from two American universities, further stated that the certificates had been looted in the 1990s by “unknown persons.”

The disclosure was contained in an affidavit submitted by Tinubu to the electoral office, as part of his eligibility filings for the 2023 presidential elections.

 to documents released by INEC on Friday, the APC candidate claimed he attended University of Chicago between 1972 and 1976, where he obtained a B.Sc. in Economics. He also claimed he had B.Sc. in Business and Administration in 1979, as well as a certificate in Public Account.

Tinubu also skipped information regarding his primary and secondary education.

“I went on self-exile from October, 1994 to October, 1998. When I returned I discovered that all my property, including all the documents relating to my qualifications and my certificates in respect of paragraph three above, were looted by unknown persons.

“My house was the target of a series of searches by various security agents from the time the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was forced to adjourn, following the military takeover of government on 17th November, 1993.

“I was the chairman of the Senate committee on appropriation, banking and finance. I was also a plaintiff in one of the two suits against the interim national government in 1993. I went on exile when it became clear to me that my life was in danger”, Tinubu said in his claims to INEC.

The electoral law mandates candidates to submit their personal credentials that will be published for public scrutiny ahead of elections.

Tinubu’s latest claims appear to contradict his previous claims, especially in 1999 and 2003, when he ran for office as a governorship candidate in Lagos. He claimed both times that he attended primary and secondary schools.

According to a report by Peoples Gazette, Tinubu had claimed he attended St Paul Children’s Home School, Ibadan, between 1958 to 1964; while his secondary education was at Government College, Ibadan, between 1965 to 1968.

From Ibadan, Tinubu said he proceeded to Richard Daley College, Chicago, from 1969 to 1971. He stated finally, to have attended both Chicago State University and the University of Chicago.

The Chicago State University had confirmed that Tinubu was a student of the institution, graduating with a degree in business and administration on June 22, 1979.

All the submissions were, however, challenged by a prominent Nigerian lawyer, the late Gani Fawehinmi.

The late legal luminary had argued the matter up to the Supreme Court, but was dismissed by the apex court on technical ground.

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