Reactions have poured in following the shocking disclosure of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s academic records by Chicago State University (CSU).
CSU, responding to a United States Court order, recently released a 32-page document that claims Nigeria’s President Tinubu is, in fact, female, adding a perplexing twist to the ongoing legal saga between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Tinubu.
Both Atiku and Tinubu contested for Nigeria’s presidency under the banners of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) in the recent election. INEC initially declared Tinubu as the winner on February 25th.
However, discontent with the election’s outcome led Atiku to file legal challenges, ultimately reaching the Supreme Court in Nigeria. A significant turning point occurred when Atiku obtained a US court order mandating CSU to release Tinubu’s academic records. The documents reveal that the student ‘Bola A. Tinubu’ is, in fact, female, raising questions about the president’s qualifications and potentially reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape.
The scandal has ignited passionate reactions among Nigerians. Notably, Oby Ezekwesili expressed her frustration, saying, “How much easier it would have been for Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu to have saved the country from this embarrassment by voluntarily publishing his academic credentials! Like most Nigerians, it is profoundly embarrassing to field mocking questions on this matter that strikes at the heart of our National Integrity from foreigners.”
Meanwhile, Temitope Ajayi shifted the focus from academic records, saying, “For me, the issue is not whether President Tinubu graduated from Chicago State University or not. It is the fact that former Vice President Atiku is not a decent man.”
This perspective resonates with many who emphasize the bond between Tinubu and Atiku, with Temitope pointing out how Tinubu had supported Atiku in the past.
Reactions on social media have been equally fervent, with users expressing concerns about the potential impact on Nigeria’s image and governance, and many others calling for the resignation of the president. Abdul Mahmud noted, “The CSU DEPOSITIONS have finally shown that the certificate BAT submitted to INEC on June 17, 2022, was NOT issued by the University. If Tinubu presented a forged certificate, this may have serious legal implications.”
Others like Engr. Andy called for swift action, stating, “There’s nothing Tinubu should be doing in power if he forged his certificate. There must be civil action for him to resign or be impeached.”
Twitter user Maureen (@more_2_more) remarked, “This is one disgrace too many. It affects ALL NIGERIANS! The most powerful president in Africa has been confirmed to have forged his certificate. This is a monumental embarrassment and a disgrace, to say the least.”
Engr. Andy (@EngrAndy) questioned the need for Tinubu to remain in power if the allegations prove true, asking, “What if he forged his certificate? There must be civil disobedience for this man to resign or be impeached.”
Danlami (@Dachez20D) expressed suspicions about Tinubu’s academic history, stating, “How can one person have no primary school, secondary school, tertiary school, and NYSC certificate even when the school has other students’ certificates? Not to talk about his three dates of birth.”
As this unfolding scandal continues to grip the nation, Nigerians eagerly await further developments, hoping for transparency and accountability in their country’s leadership.
Beyond Nigeria, American psychologist and retired mental health counselor, Jeffrey Guterman, jeered at Nigerians after the Chicago State University, CSU, released the academic records pertaining to President Tinubu. Jeffrey Guterman made a post on his verified X handle with the message: “BREAKING: Bola A. Tinubu is the first female President of Nigeria.”
The views expressed on social media underscore the gravity of the situation, with many Nigerians demanding swift and decisive action to address the scandal and maintain the nation’s integrity.