Tinubu’s Certificate: There are conflicting letters from Chicago State University – Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has highlighted the presence of contradictory letters from Chicago State University (CSU) regarding President Bola Tinubu’s certificate. Justice John Okoro, who chairs the 7-member panel handling Atiku Abubakar’s application against President Tinubu’s victory, made this revelation on Monday.

In the February election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared President Tinubu, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner. However, his opponents took the matter to court.

The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal had dismissed the appeals of both Atiku and Peter Obi of the Labour Party. Nonetheless, they proceeded to the Supreme Court, where Atiku sought to submit additional evidence against Tinubu on allegations of forgery.

Atiku had requested Tinubu’s academic records from Chicago State University to support his claim that the president had submitted forged documents to INEC. Unfortunately, by the time the documents were released, the 180-day statutory period within which an election petition should be filed and determined had already elapsed.

Despite the time constraints, Atiku urged the court to allow his appeal to present fresh evidence, citing the gravity of the issue. Tinubu opposed this, contending that granting such a request would constitute an abuse of the court process.

Atiku based his plea on the argument that the presentation of forged documents by a candidate, especially one running for the highest office in the land, is a serious constitutional issue that should not be condoned.

In response, Tinubu argued that the matter was a pre-election issue, among other points, and requested the court to deny the application.

Disputing Tinubu’s stance, Atiku asserted that issues of merit should not be decided at the interlocutory stage. He also emphasized that the presentation of a forged certificate disqualifies a candidate permanently, regardless of when it is presented.

During the hearing on Monday, Justice Okoro raised the question of two conflicting letters from CSU: one authenticating the president’s certificate and another discrediting it. The judge asked which letter should be relied upon in this situation, highlighting the need for clarity in this crucial matter.