The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential screening
committee has been asked to disqualify Bola Tinubu, a former Lagos governor,
over “questionable educational qualifications”.
In a letter dated May 17, 2022, one Sagir Mai Iyali, who
identified himself as an APC member from Kano state, asked the party to
disqualify Tinubu over alleged false documents the latter tendered to the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 1998.
John Oyegun, a former APC national chairman, is in charge of
the screening committee, and the exercise is ongoing at the Transcorp Hilton in
Abuja.
Iyali said although Tinubu is above the required age to contest the office of president, his age is not known, adding that obscurity surrounding the presidential hopeful could jeopardise the party’s chances at the polls.
“We understand that Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has since procured
his expression of interest and nomination forms and has submitted the same to
the party has certain issues that clearly amount to a similar disqualification
scenario,” the petition reads.
“From the information contained in prior submissions to the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), particularly in 1999, Mr.
Tinubu presented a false claim, on oath, of his attendance at University of
Chicago from 1972-1976.
“It is clear now that these claims are false. Not only was
this filed in the INEC form with a declaration on oath on December 20 1999, it
was also contained in an affidavit of loss sworn to before the High Court of
Lagos, Ikeja Registry, December 29th 1998.
“The latter claim that seeks to transpose history is
untenable. Mr. Tinubu has to show proof he attended University of Chicago or he
must stand disqualified as the opposition is in possession of these same
documents. Over the years, the identity of Asiwaju Bola Anmed Tinubu has been
shrouded in secrecy.
“In fact, no one can claim to know the identity of the man.
Repeated efforts and demands by the general populace and the media to unravel
the identity of Asiwaju Tinubu have all proved abortive and unsuccessful.
“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu rather chose and prefers an
incognito lifestyle. Part of the man that has remained hidden is his
educational background. Before now, so many reporters have launched discreet
investigations to unravel the truth about the educational background of Asiwaju
without success.
“We therefore urge the screening committee to invoke the
powers vested on it by the constitution and guidelines of the party to
disqualify Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from taking part in the APC primary
election for the presidential election.”
Abdullahi Adamu, APC national chairman, and Mahmood Yakubu,
INEC chairman, were copied in the letter, while Iyali attached copies of what
appeared to be Tinubu’s nomination form and affidavit in respect of lost certificates
as “evidence” to back up his claims.
The former governor of Lagos previously admitted there were
errors in his INEC filings in 1999.
He was also cleared by the state house of assembly of
deliberately lying on his qualifications, although the lawmakers were accused
of being “hasty”.
Tinubu is among 23 aspirants in APC who have been listed for
screening ahead of the party’s presidential primary on June 6.
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