Former nPDP, APC Chieftain, Eze Urges Tinubu To Reveal CSU Academic Records To Avoid Global Scandal, APC Embarrassment

Former National Publicity Secretary of the now-dissolved New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has voiced his opinion in the escalating dispute surrounding the uncertain academic credentials of Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, from Chicago State University (CSU).

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) reports that the CSU record scandal had entangled the president in a complex legal battle with his main opponent and ex-Vice President, Alh. Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

Recall that a US Magistrate Court recently ordered CSU to disclose Tinubu’s academic records within 48 hours. However, in a quick appeal following the order, Tinubu asked the court to prevent the “severe and irrevocable damage” he might incur by pausing the order to release his academic information, which is currently embroiled in controversy.

In a public statement, Chief Eze suggested that Tinubu had exploited privacy laws relating to academic records to impede an investigation into his alleged CSU graduation, the certificate of which he swore to INEC.

Despite this, the court determined that Atiku Abubakar’s interest in Tinubu’s records from CSU supersedes his privacy rights, given that he submitted his certificate to INEC, thus subjecting it to scrutiny and verification.

“But the court in its wisdom ruled that the interest of Atiku Abubakar in obtaining Tinubu’s records from CSU outweighs his privacy rights because by submitting his diploma to INEC, he has put his certificate to issue. That means interested parties can question its authenticity and seek verification from the issuing authority; a step leveraged by Atiku”.

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Eze asserted that, despite his APC membership, PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar is pursuing a fair cause.

He lauded Atiku’s resilience for highlighting flaws in the electoral system and laws regarding document verification for public office aspirants and suggested the need for legislative intervention.

Eze questioned why Tinubu would conceal his CSU academic records if they were legitimate. He criticized Tinubu’s attempts to obscure these details, especially from interested party Atiku Abubakar, who is contesting his 2023 presidential election victory.

He expressed faith in the fairness of the US courts and denounced Tinubu’s attempts to use delaying tactics common in Nigerian jurisprudence. He was confident that despite these ploys, justice will prevail and Nigerians will ultimately triumph.

Eze suggested that Tinubu could bolster public trust by waiving his privacy rights and revealing his CSU academic records, leading by example. He argued that efforts to hide these records reflect poorly on Tinubu, contribute to fraudulent perceptions of his administration, and tarnish the reputation of Nigeria’s democratic system. He, therefore emphasised the importance of national reputation in this matter.

“Had the court not given judgement against him, one would have loved to see a situation where our dear President waives every privacy rights that constitute a cloak on the unveiling of his academic records at the Chicago State University, to boost public trust. That’s how to lead by example” Eze said.

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“Deploying every means to conceal his records does not speak well of him, taints his administration with fraud and further damages the reputation of our democracy and governance system and every responsible Nigerian should feel concerned about this mess. “It’s now about our country reputation”, he added.