Peter Obi, a prominent member of the Labour Party, has expressed concern over the ongoing controversy surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s alleged certificate forgery from Chicago State University. According to Obi, this situation not only tarnishes Nigeria’s reputation but also reinforces negative stereotypes about Nigerians as fraudsters and identity thieves in the international community. He believes that Tinubu should disclose his true identity and educational background to Nigerians to dispel any doubts and prevent further embarrassment.
During a press conference held on Wednesday, Obi called upon President Bola Tinubu to address the lingering certificate scandal by providing clarity on his identity and educational qualifications. Obi emphasized that Tinubu should reintroduce himself to the nation, revealing his real name, place of origin, educational institutions attended, and other pertinent details. Obi believes that this simple task will take only a few minutes and should be promptly carried out by Tinubu.
The controversy surrounding Tinubu’s purported Chicago State University certificate has persisted for decades, but recently took a significant turn when the institution, in a sworn statement, confirmed that Tinubu had submitted a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This revelation has sparked widespread reactions among Nigerians, with many calling for Tinubu’s removal from office in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution.
Section 137 (1)(j) of the Nigerian Constitution, amended in 2010, explicitly states that anyone who presents a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission is ineligible to hold the office of the President of Nigeria. Therefore, the seriousness of the situation cannot be understated.
Earlier this year, Atiku Abubakar, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, approached a U.S. court to compel Chicago State University to release Tinubu’s academic records. Tinubu, on the other hand, opposed this request, citing potential irreparable damage to his reputation. Nonetheless, Judge Nancy Maldonado ultimately ordered the release of Tinubu’s records, leading to the deposition that exposed his alleged forgery.
Abubakar has made it clear that he will not back down in his pursuit of justice to protect Nigeria’s image, and he has filed an appeal before the Supreme Court, presenting the new evidence of certificate forgery from Chicago State University’s deposition. The matter now awaits the Supreme Court’s verdict.
