Chicago State University has officially disowned the academic qualification presented by Nigeria's President, Bola Tinubu, to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), according to a report by Peoples Gazette. This development sheds light on an important and potentially damaging aspect of the Nigerian leader's past actions.
During a deposition of school officials in Chicago, Caleb Westberg, the registrar at Chicago State University, confirmed the institution did not issue the certificate Mr. Tinubu submitted to INEC dated June 22, 1979. Consequently, the university required assistance to authenticate its origin, rendering the certificate invalid.
This revelation is a significant development in a legal strategy initiated by Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Tinubu's primary opponent. Abubakar approached the United States District Court in Chicago to verify the document's authenticity. The outcome of this inquiry could have profound implications for Nigeria's political landscape and its over 200 million citizens.
Previously, in 1999, Mr. Tinubu faced similar allegations when he claimed to have obtained a degree from the University of Chicago while running for the governorship of Lagos. Although he managed to avoid accountability at the time, this new revelation could significantly impact his current presidency.
This incident underscores the importance of transparency and integrity in leadership for Nigerians. The nation now awaits the decision of the Nigerian Supreme Court, which will determine the fate of the presidential election challenge by December 6, 2023.
