CSU Certificate: X-raying The False Narrative Propaganda Of The Opposition Against Tinubu; And The Rigorous Hurdle Atiku Must Scale Through Before The Supreme Court.

By

Mary Akanbi Esq

Former VP Atiku is alleging that President Bola A. Tinubu forged the degree certificate he submitted to INEC. 

Mary Akanbi

12th October, 2023

It's no longer news that the former Vice President and the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar is alleging that President Bola A. Tinubu forged his Chicago State University Certificate he submitted to INEC. Seeking to prove that the Chicago State University (CSU) certificate presented to INEC by Tinubu was forged and, therefore, he was not qualified to run in the first place. Atiku went to file for “discovery” at a US court on 2nd August, 2023, seeking an order to compel CSU to release Tinubu’s academic records.

What did Atiku want to prove by demanding all these records: (1) to prove that the certificate Tinubu presented to INEC was forged

(2) to argue that this is not the real Bola Tinubu 

(3) to create a moral crisis for Tinubu in Nigeria and internationally.

This same Atiku Abubakar accusing the President of forgery also has discrepancies in his secondary school certificate, his WAEC certificate bears a different name. Atiku’s WAEC certificate bears the name ‘Sadiq Abubakar' as against his other credentials submitted to INEC.

Needless to say much, Atiku's wild goose chase behavior points to only one simple fact, "desperation". Atiku is a desperate man who is ready to do anything to become the President of the country, having failed numerous times and age not been on his side feels this is the only option left for him to toll. 

Having just recently been a part of a branch local election myself, I can tell you first hand how some individuals can be so desperate to win, they are shamelessly ready to give false narrative propaganda to suit their lies forgetting that karma will always catch up with them. Such desperadoes can never make a good leader, they only want to be there for their selfish interest, A desperate person has the trait of anger, bitterness and enviousness. God forbid that such characters should rule us.

The false narrative propaganda, Atiku wants us to believe is that President Bola Tinubu forged his CSU certificate while the CSU registrar, Caleb Westberg, made a depostion as a witness and representative of the university in court. He had previously sworn to an affidavit as well. If you lie under deposition, it is called “perjury” and you will have no option than to go to jail. So, it is not a joke.

Caleb Westberg swore to an affidavit that Tinubu graduated and was awarded a degree with honours from CSU on June 22, 1979. He said CSU awarded him a diploma and subsequently provided a certified (that is, official) copy of that diploma. He said both are “valid and authentic” diplomas from the university. He also said Tinubu attended Southwest College (now known as Richard Daley College), a feeder school for CSU. He said the Tinubu that attended Southwest College and transferred to CSU had the same social security number (like the NIN in Nigeria), and that it is the same person that is now president of Nigeria. 

On why the gender of the student that attended Southwest was written as “F” (female)?

He said it was possibly a clerical error as he himself did not know whether Bola Tinubu is the name of a male or female. But he pointed out that Tinubu filled “male” in his application form and was addressed as “Mr” in the letter offering him admission.

With such a clear and straight forward explanation, it's obvious Atiku is on a wild goose chase that will lead to no where.

The question one beacons to ask; Now that Atiku claims to have new evidence to help him unseat the President at the Supreme Court, what are the rigorous hurdles he is likely to face?

Under the provisions of the Electoral Act, there are no provisions for introduction of fresh evidence on appeal. Though you can introduce fresh evidence but before you’re allowed to do so, you must show that the evidence you’re trying to introduce was otherwise not available at the time the lawsuit was instituted. He will have to convince the court that a new evidence can be filed at this stage. The next hurdle will be the evidential weight the court attaches, he has to convince the court beyond reasonable doubt that Tinubu actually committed forgery which obviously the odds are against him.

Finally, when all said and done, and all the court issues is done and dusted, will Atiku be able to once again look Tinubu in the eye, the way he once used to, who knows!!.

After all, there are no permanent friends or foes in politics. Just permanent interests. 

Just like everyone else, I patiently await the outcome of the Supreme Court verdict.