NEWS
Tinubu’s Opaque Academic Records Dominate Public Discourse
… Civil Rights Group Threaten Legal Action Against IGP
By Edozie Obasi-Eze
Well-meaning Nigerians are decrying the charade and connivance of the political elite against the law and with the law to defraud the electorate.
The media space, particularly digital and social, found itself inundated lately with observations, including eye witness and personal accounts of alleged perjury by one of the contenders to the office of the president of Nigeria.
Recall that Bola Ahmed Tunubu beat other contenders to the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 presidential elections, recently.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as part of legal requirements made public the documentation submitted to it by those running for electoral positions.
This availed the public of what now appears like the startling revelation that the former governor of Lagos State, was ‘mute’, albeit in writing, under oath on the primary and secondary schools he attended.
This left those who claim to know wondering aloud how such could be.
A Twitter user, Femi Aribisala, took to his verified Twitter handle @femiaribisala to vent his frustration at the flagrant disregard for the laws of the land by Tinubu.
He twitted that Tinubu was guilty of perjury because his present claims vary from details of an earlier affidavit he submitted to INEC.
Key on the Aribisala’s observation includes Tinubu’s claim under oath that he attended the Government College Ibadan (GCI) from 1965-1968. Probably in a veiled acceptance that he erred, Tinubu opted to expunge this from his personal documentation to INEC this time around.
However, Aribisala in calling this out, maintained that he was a student of the GCI between 1962-1968 but never noticed Tinubu’s presence there. “I was in GCI from 1962-1968, and Tinubu was not there,” he twitted.
He further averred that after he called out this misdemeanor in 2014, Tinubu has opted to mute that aspect of his life with a claim that he attended neither primary nor secondary school but holds several university certificates.
Aribasala twitted, “I wrote in 2014 that Tinubu’s affidavit that he attended Government College Ibadan (GCI) between 1965 and 1968 is false.
“I was in GCI from 1962-1968, and Tinubu was not there.
“Tinubu now tells INEC he did not go to primary or secondary school.
“This means he committed perjury.”
The tweet, as at Sunday had witnessed 11.3k retweets, 585 quotes, and 24.5k likes.
Another Twitter user, Daniel Regha, @DanielRegha in responding to Aribisala’s tweet, averred that the APC presidential flag bearer was also guilty of forgery.
Regha tweeted thus, “Tinubu didn’t only commit perjury. It’s safe to say that he also committed forgery because there’s no way one can get admitted into the tertiary institution without completing secondary school.
“This is the man many deem credible to lead Nigeria into prosperity? We are our own problems.”
The matter has been prominent in the social media space since Friday and has seen segments of the public pitched against one another.
The contention saw several critics and analysts airing their views on the matter, while Tinubu’s loyalists were working hard to counter.
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In a veiled salvo on the matter, a journalist and public affairs analyst, Ikem Okuhu took to his social media page to point out that great men don’t fall from the sky.
He listed the names of his teachers in primary school, through the six classes and stated “I didn’t fall from the skies.”
In a more direct position, though, Okuhu averred in his Facebook page that he could recall over 20 of his primary school mates, over 30 of his secondary school mates, while his course mates at the university remain like family, fresh in memory.
He wrote, “I can mention at least 20 people that started primary school with me. If I think well, I can mention 30 or more of them with relative ease.
“Those I attended secondary school with are even easier. We are in the same WhatsApp group of which I am the admin.
“Those who were with me in the Mass Communication Department of the University of Nigeria (UNN) are of more recent memory. I also administer our WhatsApp group.
“I didn’t drop from the skies.”
While the issue continues to engage the attention of the media and public affairs analysts, some political gladiators are poised to test the efficacy of the judiciary in solving what a segment of the public describes as the mystery of Tinubu’s academic background.
The Centre for Reforms and Public Advocacy (CPRA) has made clear its intention to test the matter at the law courts. The Legal Adviser of the CRPA and human rights lawyer, Agu Kalu, divulged the position at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday.
The CRPA has given the Inspector-General of Police, Baba Usman, a 48-hour ultimatum to arrest and initiate criminal prosecution against Tinubu for allegedly supplying false academic qualifications to secure the nomination.
According to the group, should the IG fail to comply, they will approach a court of competent jurisdiction for an order of mandamus to compel him to effect the arrest of the APC flag bearer at the end of the ultimatum.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday, January 26, 2025, to participate in the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The two-day summit, scheduled for January 27-28, 2025, is aimed at advancing “Mission 300,” a pan-African initiative to provide electricity to 300 million people across the continent by 2030.
Hosted by the Tanzanian government in collaboration with the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank, the summit will bring together African leaders, private sector stakeholders, development partners, and civil society organizations.
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The goal is to develop strategies for accelerating energy access in underserved regions, increasing renewable energy adoption, and mobilizing private sector investment.
According to a statement released on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, the summit will serve as a platform for sharing expertise, knowledge, and resources to address Africa’s energy challenges.
The first day of the summit will feature ministerial-level discussions, during which participating nations, including Nigeria, will present their national energy strategies, or “compacts,” detailing their plans to achieve universal energy access within five years.
On the second day, African Heads of State will sign the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, a unified roadmap for achieving the goals of Mission 300.
President Tinubu is expected to deliver a national statement reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to universal energy access and its leadership role in the continent’s energy sector.
He will also highlight Nigeria’s ongoing clean energy initiatives and integrated energy delivery strategies aimed at fostering sustainable development across Africa.
Accompanying the president will be key government officials, including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and Special Adviser to the President on Energy Olu Verheijen.
President Tinubu is set to return to Abuja immediately after the summit concludes.
The menace of illegal migration is getting diplomatic attention from the Italian authorities and the Edo State Government.
The Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Fred Itua divulged this in a government house statement issued in Benin City on Saturday.
He explained that the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edesili Anani had expressed the readiness of the Governor, Monday Okpebholo-led administration to tackle the menace of irregular migration among youths in the state.
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It was gathered that Anani made the stance public on Friday in Government House, Benin City, when Dr. Alberto Cilala, a consultant to the European Union and President of Mattei Africa for Humanitarian Aids Initiative in Italy, led a delegation to her office.
Welcoming the delegation, she highlighted the importance of collaboration to address the challenges posed by irregular migration.
The Coordinator expressed her gratitude to the delegation, and emphasized the transformative impact the partnership will bring to Edo State.
In her words, “This initiative will reduce unemployment, create job opportunities, and address human trafficking and irregular migration. It will also enhance education, skills acquisition, agricultural investment, and infrastructural development for our people.”
On his part, Dr. Cilala emphasized that the Mattei Plan would provide valuable skills to Edo State residents, including tailoring, furniture-making, shoemaking, and more.
“The Mattei Plan was launched by the Italian Government with a focus on six key sectors: education and training, health, security, agriculture, and renewable energy. The goal is to promote integrated development and improve living conditions, particularly in rural areas.
“These projects will be fully funded by the Italian Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Labour,” he stated.
Former Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Government on Anti-Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration, Solomon Okoduwa, in his remarks, said the Mattei Plan prioritizes practical measures to reduce irregular migration and human trafficking.
“Although nine African countries are involved in this initiative, Edo State is a crucial partner for Italy. This partnership will strengthen bilateral relations under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo,” he said.
Brand Ambassador of the Mattei Plan, Olorogun John Paul, popularly known as Daddy Showkey was at the event and lauded the initiative.
He noted, “This program provides an opportunity for Edo State beneficiaries to gain training in various skills, equipping them for sustainable livelihoods.”
Supporters of the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on Saturday morning stormed the Speaker’s Lodge located at 47 Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
The supporters, dressed in pro-Obasa vests and caps, arrived in large numbers at the premises.
According to multiple sources, the group was planning a “heroic welcome” for the former Speaker, who was recently removed from office by a majority of lawmakers in the House.
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Obasa, who was out of the country at the time of his impeachment, was replaced by the former deputy speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
Since her emergence as Speaker, Meranda has presided over two sittings, with Obasa absent from both.
The choice of the Speaker’s Lodge as the location for Obasa’s supposed welcome sparked controversy, as he is no longer officially entitled to the property following his removal.
A resident in the area expressed surprise over the situation, saying, “I didn’t expect that the lodge would be opened for them.”
Armed security personnel, including police officers, were deployed to the area to maintain order and prevent any potential disruption.
As of the time of filing this report, Obasa had yet to arrive at the lodge.
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