Former vice president and presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar has held a world press conference to address issues regarding President Bola Tinubu’s academic record from the Chicago State University which was recently released to his lawyers and followed by a deposition from the school’s registrar in a US court.
Tinubu’s certificate which he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been a subject of controversy.
The conference took place at the Shehu Musa Yaradua Abuja.
Speaking at the conference, Atiku said, “I wish to pay tribute to the late human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, who inspired us on this path of discovery. Now, he can truly rest in peace in the assurance that what he started about 23 years ago has come to fruition. Gani’s vindication today gives credence to the saying that no matter how fast a lie runs, the truth will someday overtake it.
“Former American President Thomas Jefferson once said, ‘If I had to choose between government without newspapers, and newspapers without government, I wouldn’t hesitate to choose the latter.’ From exposing the Watergate scandal and unravelling the dubious certificates of politicians, journalists have maintained eternal vigilance by bridging the gap and stepping in when other arms of government failed.”
“It is for these reasons that commendation must be given to David Hundeyin, an independent journalist whose extraordinary work and those of many more young people like him has become a source of inspiration.
“Special thanks must be given to the millions of Nigerian youths and citizen journalists too who continue to put out the truth online even when no one is listening. Indeed, the price of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance. They have put the country first in their firm commitment to unravel the truth and hold leaders accountable. This gives me the hope that we have worthy partners in the struggle to reclaim the country we call home.”
Below is the summary of the event:
That Bola Ahmed Tinubu forged the certificate he presented to INEC.
That the qualifying certificate from South West College to Chicago State University bears a female name indicating that the document does not belong to Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Chicago State University admission application form has a claim that Bola Ahmed Tinubu attended Government College Lagos and he graduated in 1970 when indeed, the school was established in 1974.
That the NYSC certificate Bola Ahmed Tinubu submitted to INEC has Adekunle instead of Ahmed.
That the Supreme Court will accept fresh evidence if certain conditions are met and from what transpired in the US court, that condition has been met.
That Nigeria’s law is very clear on the matter. Any party at fault cannot be allowed to enjoy the fruit of illegality.
Answering questions from journalists, Atiku explained that he will never give up the fight until the Supreme Court ruling. He further stated that Tinubu had wanted to be his running mate in 2007 but he turned him down because both of them are muslims.
Atiku called on other political leaders in the country including Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Peter Obi to join him in the fight against certificate forgery in Nigeria.
Some eminent Nigerians who attended the press briefing include, former National Chairmen of PDP, Uche Seondus and Iyorchia Ayu, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Tom Ikimi, former Imo state governor, Achike Udenwa etc.