Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s Presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections, has called on President Bola Tinubu to address the ongoing controversy surrounding his academic records and identity to prevent prolonged embarrassment and anxiety.
Obi’s statement comes in the wake of a US court order requiring Chicago State University (CSU) to release President Tinubu’s academic records, which was requested by the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
During a press conference in Abuja, Obi urged President Tinubu to clarify details about the schools he attended, confirm his participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and address any potential name changes. He emphasized the need to resolve identity questions and the international embarrassment caused by the controversy.
Obi requested President Tinubu to provide information about his name, nationality, place of birth, parentage, primary and secondary schools attended with dates, the universities he attended, and the certificates obtained. He also urged clarity on the location and timing of his NYSC service.
According to Obi, the entire situation surrounding Chicago University and other lingering identity questions related to Tinubu have negatively affected Nigeria’s international reputation. Obi pointed out that this controversy has led uninformed outsiders to view Nigerians as fraudsters, certificate forgers, or identity thieves.
Obi stressed that as a former occupant of the country’s highest political office, President Tinubu should no longer have a right to privacy regarding his identity. Atiku had requested President Tinubu’s certificate from Chicago State University, raising doubts about the authenticity of the certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Atiku has vowed to continue seeking justice in this matter.
