Atiku, Tinubu, And CSU Certificate Saga -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

There was uneasy calm in the Nation’s politics last week. This was follow the Chicago State University, CSU, released of school documents of President Bola Tinubu to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar.Atiku obtained victory at the American court of Northern Illinois in his fierce legal battle to probe into the academic qualification of Tinubu in the February 25 presidential poll.

Tinubu had supplied certificates from the Chicago State University, CSU, to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to secure eligibility to participate in the election.

A United States of America court on Saturday ordered CSU to release Tinubu’s academic records for verification and in support of Atiku’s petition challenging the result of the 2023 presidential poll.

Justice Nancy Maldonado in a judgment dismissed the objection raised by Tinubu against Atiku’s request and expressly ordered that the CSU must submit the academic records to Atiku. And the school has obeyed the court order, releasing the documents on Monday night.

In a report carried out by Daily Trust news paper on Friday last week,Atiku sought through his lawyers:

An example of a CSU diploma issued in 1979.Tinubu’s diploma issued in 1979.

Any example of a CSU diploma that “contains the same font, seal, signatures and wording” as Tinubu’s diploma issued in June 1979.CSU documents certified and produced by Jamar Orr, an associate general counsel at CSU at the time.

Atiku also wants his lawyers to depose CSU officials about the authenticity of Tinubu’s academic documents. It is believed that,the former vice president and the candidate of PDP,Atiku Abubakar, is planning to transfer the collected evidence to the Supreme Court for use in the ongoing election petition case. It could be recalled, attempt by Atiku to slam certificate forgery charges against the president in his case instituted at the presidential election tribunal court was dismissed and Tinubu’s victory in the February,25 general elections affirmed.

With Atiku Abubakar obtained the president’s certificate which he will use in his appeal,all eyes will now shift to the Supreme Court. However,will the Apex Court follow suit and uphold the PETC verdict affirming Tinubu’s victory and dismiss Atiku case? Will Atiku Abubakar secure victory? These questions in the lips of nigerians begging for answers can be addressed by the Supreme Court in its judgement.The Constitution of Nigeria has explicitly under section 131 spelt out the education requirements for a candidate to contest an election in the country. Section “131. States, A person shall be qualified for election to the office of President if- he has been educated up to at least school certificate level or its equivalent.”

Candidates contesting election to other elective positions must also posses a similar qualification. This is in view of the prescription in other provisions of the Constitution that candidates to elective post must have been educated up to at least school certificate level or its equivalent.

Section 177 (d) prescribes that candidates contesting election into the office of State Governor must have been educated up to at least School Certificate Level or its equivalent. By virtue of Section 142(2) and 187(2) the provisions on educational qualification of President and State Governors apply to Vice President and Deputy Governors respectively. Section 65(2) (a) and 106(c) of the Constitution prescribes that candidates contesting elections as National Assembly and State House of Assembly members respectively must also have been educated to at least School Certificate Level.

Nigerians politicians had faced serious legal battle on the authenticity of their certificates since the return of democracy. For instance, the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari,in 2015, came under spotlight for allegation of lack of school leaving certificate.It was Buhari’s former school which testified and cleared him against any wrong doing. In 1999, Kano born politician,Salisu Buhari,who became the speaker of house of representatives had to resign. He was alleged to had Forged his certificate from Toronto University, USA. At last, Salisu Buhari, had to honourably resign to save the integrity of the green chamber.

It is on record, many politicians had their election upturned in courts for certificate forgery and other related electorates offences. Those who want to lead us must be trustworthy. Dubious characters who forged their school certificates, falsified ages or rigged their way to power must be shown the way out. They should not be entrusted with leadership.

No doubt, the disputed clients will move their battle to the Supreme Court in the next few days to come. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should defend the allegations against him with great conviction. Also, the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, needs to prove his allegation beyond reasonable doubt.

However, the onus lies on the supreme Court judges to deliver unbiased or impartial judgement. Their judgement will make or mar the country’s fledging democracy that faces existential threat.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna state. 08169056963.