The release of Bola Tinubu’s academic records to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sparked intense scrutiny and raised profound questions about the authenticity of the documents presented by the former Lagos State Governor.
Professor Farooq Kperogi, a renowned professor of journalism and newspaper columnist, delved into the matter, shedding light on the complexities of the case.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Professor Kperogi stated, “We have established that he attended the university, he graduated from it, but the other issue is the certificate he presented to INEC. It is now clear that that certificate was forged.
“The registrar said they did not recognize it; it was not an authentic document that emanated from their school; however, he did graduate from the school.”
He highlighted concerns about the pre-university certificate presented by Tinubu, pointing out inconsistencies.
Addressing the peculiar nature of the situation, Professor Kperogi remarked, “This forgery is very unconventional because people typically associate forgery with making things up that you do not possess.”
He reiterated the complexity of the case, emphasising the need for the Supreme Court to consider both the spirit and letter of the law, and question, “What does forgery mean? Forgery to present yourself as that which you are not or forgery that comes out of carelessness?”
Regarding the impact of these revelations on Tinubu’s legitimacy, Professor Kperogi said, “Does the fact that he forged the certificate invalidate the legitimacy of his claim that he attended university? No. These are completely different issues.”
He expressed scepticism about predicting the Supreme Court’s decision, highlighting its unpredictable nature, but emphasised the significance of the case, “What former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has succeeded in doing from my perspective is to hold President Bola Tinubu to account, to beam the searchlight on his identity and his credentials. Even if the Supreme Court does not overturn Tinubu’s election, he has been wounded almost irreparably in moral terms.”
As legal debates intensify and the nation awaits the Supreme Court’s ruling, the questions surrounding Tinubu’s academic credentials continue to shape the political landscape in Nigeria.
Kiki Garba.
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