Atiku Abubaka (1).webp
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has cast doubt on President Bola Tinubu’s recent claim about Belarusian businessman Alexander Zingman being his Chicago State University (CSU) schoolmate. Atiku's media office highlighted a significant age discrepancy and raised concerns about Zingman's alleged controversial international dealings, bringing the President's past associations under renewed scrutiny.
  • Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has disputed President Bola Tinubu's assertion that Alexander Zingman was his schoolmate at Chicago State University (CSU).
  • President Tinubu had referred to Zingman as a "very good neighbour" and "friend" from his time at CSU during a program launch in Abuja.
  • Atiku's media office pointed out that Zingman, born in 1966, would have been only 13 years old in 1979, the year Tinubu claims to have graduated from CSU.
  • Concerns were also raised regarding Zingman's alleged involvement in controversial transactions within Africa's mining sector and arms trade.
  • Atiku challenged the President to present a verifiable classmate from any of his claimed educational institutions.
  • While CSU has confirmed Tinubu's graduation, an ongoing public debate persists due to inconsistencies in his submitted certificate.
  • Investigations by TheCable indicated Alexander Zingman was born on November 26, 1966, and studied at the University of Illinois from 1991 to 1995.
Uncertain Footprints in a leader's past invite persistent questions, reflecting the deep public desire for clarity and transparency. When personal anecdotes become points of contention, it underscores the profound importance of verifiable facts in Nigeria's political landscape. This continuous pursuit of truth reveals how foundational trust is for governance, compelling both leaders and citizens to navigate a terrain where every step is scrutinized, and every claim weighed against the public record.

Sources: TheCable, Atiku Abubakar's media office, Chicago State University (CSU)