APC and ADC Chieftains Clash Over Tinubu’s Credentials

APC and ADC Chieftains Clash Over Tinubu’s Credentials

Alwan Hassan, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Kalu Kalu, a Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), engaged in a heated debate over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s academic credentials and constitutional eligibility to contest elections, as well as differing interpretations of Nigeria’s Constitution.

During the programme Politics Today with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels Television on Monday, Hassan defended the President, asserting that Tinubu had satisfied the constitutional requirement by providing evidence of a Bachelor of Science degree from Chicago State University.

“He has shown evidence that he has a BSc from Chicago State University. The constitution says to show one,” Hassan said. “There are people who are Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) in this country who did not attend primary and secondary school.”

He argued that the Constitution only mandates a school certificate or its equivalent, which, he said, includes the ability to read and write.

“What the constitution says is that a school certificate or its equivalent, and the equivalent of a school certificate is the ability to read and write,” he stated, citing billionaire Bill Gates as an example of how academic qualifications do not solely determine competence.

“It’s not about education. These guys in the opposition don’t have anything to hold this man,” Hassan added.

The APC chieftain also maintained that possessing educational certificates does not necessarily equate to leadership capacity, emphasising that experience and performance are more crucial than formal qualifications.

However, Kalu challenged the President’s eligibility, insisting that the issue was not capacity but adherence to constitutional requirements and the authenticity of the documents submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The fundamental question is whether the President deserves to be on the ballot,” Kalu said. “Can he prove his qualifications? The Constitution is supreme and guides all our activities.”

He alleged that Tinubu submitted forged documents to INEC in previous elections, including claims related to his primary and secondary school education, and argued that anyone found to have submitted forged certificates would be constitutionally disqualified from contesting for the office of President.

According to Kalu, “The Constitution says a person is not qualified to run for the office of President if he has submitted forged certificates to INEC.”

Hassan dismissed the allegations, repeatedly demanding proof that any court had declared the documents forged.

“The issue is, has Tinubu at any time presented a forged certificate to INEC? Can we have your evidence that he did? Show us,” he challenged.

The controversy regarding educational qualifications and age has persisted as a major issue in the lead-up to the 2027 election.

– Newsleverage