October 10, (THEWILL) – The public has been greeted with serious debates over the authenticity of Tinubu’s Chicago Degree Certificate, which he, the Candidate of All Progressive Congress submitted to the Independent National Election Commission (INEC), in the prelude to last year’s general election.
Recall that Tinubu’s Certificates have been a subject of question for a long while, as the late human rights lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) was the first person who brought Tinubu’s Certificate disparity to the public domain in 1999. On October 7, 1999, the late Legal luminary sued Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was then the Governor of Lagos, at the Federal High Court in Lagos. In the suit filed by the late sage, he raised questions on Tinubu’s certificates, saying he (Bola Ahmed Tinubu) made false claims on his two documents.
Thus, the present dust raised by Atiku Abubakar, the erstwhile presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s credentials, was a follow-up on long age alleged certificates falsification. Last week, Atiku Abubakar had a world press conference, where he made known to the public all the lapses on President Tinubu’s certificates following the documents made available to him by Chicago State University, where the incumbent President claimed to have had his degree. Atiku further averred that he was not stopping at this, as he would use all the documents at his disposal to pursue his election results appeal at the Supreme Court.
Following the latest development, the social media platform has been agog over the whole political issues. The stance and opinions of many people on current debates no doubt have been swayed by ethnic and political colouration. Even those who were not within these angles have remained undecided. As one who has been following all political events in the country, I decided to make my position known to the public on the whole ongoing political drama by the duo. To start with, I must make it clear to the public that I am neither a member of the All Progress Congress nor the People’s Democratic Party, but my stance on this article is based on similar political precedents.
My reader could recall that Bola Ahmed Tinubu was not the first person facing an upheaval task on false Certificate claims. In the previous administration, President Muhammad Buhari was greeted with a similar issue. The contention over former President Buhari was taken to the Supreme Court and the no-certificate claims were dismissed by the apex court. Sequel to the above, I have every reason to say that the current certificate drama involving Tinubu and Atiku would not be any way different. Aside from Tinubu and his associates lobbying the apex court to dismiss the case, the suit by Atiku will not make headway because of ethnic sentiment among the judges.
Even when the Apex Court Judges see facts from Atiku’s suit, the issue of precedent and ethnic colouration will divide the judges. There is the likelihood that the Court Judges will never look into the substance presented by Atiku. Just like the saying that what is good for the goose is also good for the gander will determine the outcome of the suit. The idea of giving former President Buhari, a Northern person a clean sheet by the Supreme Court in spite of glaring evidence will equally be replicated on the incumbent President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
I, therefore, conclude that the Supreme Court Judges will never crucify Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the facts made available before them, but the case will be dismissed to avoid misinterpretation that they (Judges) are against the presidency from Southern extraction.
Written by Stephen Ojate is a Journalist and Public Affairs Commentator from Abuja. He is on WhatsApp platform and reachable via phone number 09075716236
