May 30, (THEWILL) – The Presidential Screening Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has received a petition seeking to disqualify former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, over “questionable educational qualifications.”
The petitioner, Sagir Mai Iyali, an APC member from Kano state, in a letter to the Screening Committee, dated May 17, 2022, cited alleged false documents Tinubu tendered to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 1998.
THEWILL had reported that the ongoing presidential screening exercise at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, is chaired by the party’s former national chairman, John Oyegun.
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 Ahmed 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.
Other aspirants include: Vice President Yemi Osibanjo; former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; former Minister of Niger Delta Development, Sen. Godswill Akpabio; former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; former Imo State Governor, Sen. Rochas Okorocha; and former Ogun State Governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosu.
Others are: Pastor Tunde Bakare, Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade; Ebonyi State Governor, Gov. Dave Umahi; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Minister of State for Education, Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba; former Senate President, Sen. Ken Nnamani; Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello; Jigawa governor, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; and former Zamfara State governor, Sen. Ahmed Yerima.
Also on the list are: Senator Ajayi Borroffice, the only female aspirant, Mrs. Uju Kennedy Ohanenye; Pastor Nicholas Felix Nwagbo, former Speaker of Representative, Hon. Dimeji Bankole; Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan; former Minister of Information, Chief Ikeobasi Mokelu; and Tein Jack Rich.
