In a dramatic turn of events, Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President of Nigeria and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has launched a fresh legal offensive against the incumbent President, Bola Tinubu. The battle, which centers around allegations of forgery and perjury, has taken an unexpected twist as Atiku escalates his efforts to disqualify Tinubu from holding office.
New Evidence Unveiled
The crux of Atiku’s case lies in what he claims to be fraudulent academic records presented by President Tinubu. Atiku’s legal team obtained what they believe to be vital evidence from Chicago State University (CSU) in the United States, which allegedly demonstrates that President Tinubu’s academic qualifications were tampered with.
This evidence came into Atiku’s possession following a court order from Illinois, instructing CSU to release President Tinubu’s academic records. These documents are now central to Atiku’s argument, as he alleges that President Tinubu forged a certificate that he purportedly obtained from CSU back in 1979. According to Atiku, this forged certificate was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as part of President Tinubu’s qualifications for the 2023 presidential election.
Legal Maneuvers in Progress
One of Atiku’s lawyers, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed the submission of this new evidence to the Supreme Court, emphasizing that it bolsters the 35 grounds of appeal that had been previously filed. Chris Uche, Atiku’s lead counsel during the tribunal, acknowledged the ongoing efforts, stating, “I am sure they are working on it. I will get back if I have any information on it.”
Paul Ibe, a media consultant for Atiku, further confirmed that this fresh evidence was set to be filed to complement the existing grounds of appeal. He noted that this evidence relates specifically to the certificate that President Tinubu submitted to INEC and is seen as crucial in supporting Atiku’s case.
While the exact details of the fresh filing were not disclosed by Atiku’s legal team, a source close to the former Vice President indicated that the existing grounds already included allegations of forgery and perjury. These allegations are rooted in the belief that President Tinubu submitted a certificate to INEC that was not genuine and made false statements under oath.
President Tinubu’s Defense
President Tinubu’s camp remains resolute in their response to these allegations. Tunde Rahman, an aide to the President, penned an article in which he characterized Atiku’s pursuit of this case as an attempt to tarnish President Tinubu’s reputation. Rahman argued that Atiku’s ambition to lead the country was clouding his judgment, leading him to engage in “political vendetta” against President Tinubu.
Rahman also underscored the credibility of President Tinubu’s academic credentials, stating that there is no doubt about his attendance and graduation from CSU with distinction. He emphasized that President Tinubu had earned his degree legitimately and had no reason to forge any certificates.
APC Chieftain Mocks Atiku
Yekini Nabena, a prominent member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary, took a different approach. He ridiculed Atiku’s efforts and suggested that he should start preparing for the 2027 presidential election instead of dwelling on resolved pre-election matters. Nabena asserted that the controversy over President Tinubu’s CSU certificate was a pre-election issue that had already been addressed.
Civil Society and Political Reactions
The United Action Front of Civil Society weighed in on the matter, describing President Tinubu’s alleged forgery and perjury as “outrageous and embarrassing to all Nigerians.” They demanded an apology from President Tinubu and called for his immediate resignation. The group accused him of violating the constitution by submitting false documents to INEC.
Conversely, the National Coalition for Democracy Renewal Group criticized calls for President Tinubu’s resignation, labeling them as unpatriotic and politically motivated. They argued that any allegations should be proven in a court of law before any action is taken.
The nation now finds itself divided over these allegations, as the legal battle intensifies. All eyes are on the Supreme Court, which will play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of this high-stakes political drama. As the case continues to unfold, it is clear that the repercussions of these allegations could have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s political landscape.