President Bola Tinubu Graduated From Our University – CSU To Atiku
Chicago University confirms Tinubu’s degree amid Atiku’s legal challenge
The Chicago State University (CSU) in the United States has confirmed that President Bola Tinubu graduated from the institution in 1979 and obtained a degree. The confirmation came amid a legal challenge by former vice president and opposition leader Atiku Abubakar, who sought to subpoena Tinubu’s academic records from the university.
Atiku, who contested against Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, filed an application in a US court to obtain Tinubu’s school records under a statute that allows documents available in the US to be used as evidence in a foreign court. Atiku alleged that there were discrepancies in Tinubu’s background and qualifications.
However, CSU said it would only release Tinubu’s records if the court grants the order and directs “only limited and targeted discovery” of the information sought by Atiku. The university also questioned why Tinubu’s academic records “could have any bearing on a 2023 election challenge in a foreign country”. It argued that some requests in the application were “clearly inappropriate”, such as seeking the employment details of one of its former employees.
Tinubu, who won the election with a narrow margin, opposed Atiku’s application and said it was an attempt to tarnish his reputation and undermine his legitimacy. He also accused Atiku of being desperate and resorting to foreign interference.
Atiku’s lawyers said they needed the information about Tinubu’s academic records for possible appellate proceedings. They said they had evidence that Tinubu did not meet the constitutional requirements to be president of Nigeria.
The US court has not yet ruled on Atiku’s application. The case is one of several legal battles between the two political rivals, who have been at loggerheads since the election.
