Politics
No Evidence Tinubu Forged Chicago Certificate -BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has said there was no proof yet that President Bola Tinubu forged his academic record at the Chicago State University (CSU).
This was made known in a report by the BBC’s Global Disinformation Team published on Wednesday.
Recall that Nigerians have been reacting as to whether Tinubu forged his certificate following the recent release and deposition of his certificate by CSU to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
A United States court had asked CSU to release the president’s certificate to Atiku, who contested for Nigeria’s most coveted political seat under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 presidential election.
While Tinubu, through his aides, has reiterated that his certificate from the CSU was not falsified, BBC disclosed that there has not been any proof that he forged his academic record.
Recounting the development that led to the certificate saga, BBC said there are three versions of the CSU certificates for Tinubu.
“The CSU released several diplomas issued between 1979 and 2003. We analysed all of them.
“There are three different diplomas for Mr Tinubu that we refer to throughout our analysis:
“The original one, from 1979, which he has said in the past was lost when he went into exile in the 1990s.
“The second one, that he submitted to INEC – supposedly a replacement diploma from CSU (it is similar to diplomas issued by CSU in the 1990s).
“Additionally, CSU holds another replacement diploma for Mr Tinubu that they say is probably from the early 2000s that he never collected.
“The allegations on social media are based on a comparison between the document Mr Tinubu submitted to INEC and the 1979 diplomas released by CSU.”
According to the British media organisation, the deposition by CSU’s registrar, Caleb Westberg, also attested to it that the Nigeria’s leader did not forge his diploma.
“Mr Westberg said the template of CSU’s diploma has changed several times over the years. He said any request for a new diploma would resemble the current template at that time, no matter when the student graduated,” BBC said.
It also disclosed that, “The BBC reached out to Mr Tinubu’s team to get a copy of the diploma in question. They sent what they said was the only existing copy of the diploma. It is a black and white photocopy identical to what was submitted to INEC.
“Another claim, made by a fact-checking organisation in Nigeria, was that the diploma Mr Tinubu submitted was not from CSU as its diplomas do not include the phrase “with honors” under the degree name.
“But the BBC found that while this was not reflected in the other diplomas released by CSU, it does appear in Mr Tinubu’s diploma issued in the early 2000s, which was authenticated by Mr Westberg during his deposition.
“It has the words “with honors” – a match with the diploma with the same detail submitted by the president to INEC.”
“Mr Westberg said that the school could authenticate this particular diploma because it was still in its possession as it was never picked up,” it stated.
“Not every student graduates from university with honours. Mr Tinubu, as attested to by CSU in several court documents seen by the BBC, did graduate from CSU with honours.”
Lastly, the BBC contacted CSU with questions about its diplomas and it referred us to a statement that read in part: “We are confident and always have been in the veracity and integrity of our records regarding Tinubu’s attendance and completion of graduation requirements”.
The Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo has endorsed the October 5, 2024 local government elections in Rivers State.
Rt Hon. Oko-Jumbo said this on the floor of the House during its legislative sitting on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
He said the House aligned itself with a recent Supreme Court’s judgement which directed all states in the country to ensure democratically elected councils in their respective states.
According to the Speaker, the forthcoming election is also in line with the recent Supreme Court’s judgment which outlawed unelected councils’ leaderships in the country.
Rt Hon Oko-Jumbo also said the election is also in compliance with the order of a Port Harcourt High Court that mandated the state electoral umpire to use the 2023 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voter register for the election.
The Speaker said the House was also satisfied with the preparations so far made by both the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and the state government for the conduct of the elections.
The number one lawmaker in the State urged security agencies to ensure adequate security of lives and property during the elections, while calling on eligible voters to turn out en mass and vote for candidates of their choice.
Professor of Political Economy, Prof Pat Utomi, has explained that Nigeria’s fortunes can change for the better if people of character are in positions of authority.
The Professor, who was a guest on a live television programme last Wednesday, said the country has the human capital required to achieve greatness.
“Ultimately, values shape human progress. When we have values and people of character and commitment to service (are) in positions of public authority, our country will turn around,” Prof Utomi said on the programme.
“We have the ingredients, the human capital that it takes to show the way”, he said.
Prof Utomi criticised the loss of Nigerian values and customs, attributing it to the breakdown of the nation’s institutions.
He stated that without robust institutions, such as the court and the electoral body, no nation can advance significantly.
“The biggest challenge we have is that culture is in collapse in Nigeria, values shape human progress. How do we get a values revolution? Institutions are critical for human progress if we can commit to building stronger institutions that push back on people who do not do right and the rule of law is fully in place.
“Look at our judiciary, it is a laughing stock – no country can make real progress without a judiciary that you can rely on. Look at our other institutions, whether it is INEC or others; they are weak.
“How do we ensure that we have strong institutions and that we have values that ensure that character matters and that people of character can show a light? We can do it, I am absolutely confident because I have seen it happen in human history,” he said.
He added that young Nigerians were contributing to the nation’s woes by helping to elect dishonest leaders, asserting that when leaders replace nepotism with competence, the nation will prosper.
Governor of Plateau State, Mr Caleb Mutfwang, has promised that he would not interfere with the electoral process ahead of the Oct. 9 local government elections in the state.
Mr Mutfwang said this on Wednesday as the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southern and Central zones of the state held rallies ahead of the election.
He said that the State’s Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) had the task of conducting a free, fair and credible elections across the 17 local government areas (LGAs) of the state.
The governor, who urged the residents of the state to vote candidates of the PDP across board, said that his government had made significant impact in the last one year.
”We have pledged to restore the era of transparent elections in Plateau and this is why we are here to campaign for our candidates.
”Our government is making significant progress and will continue to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people, particularly those in the rural areas.
”So, I call on you to vote for all PDP candidates on Oct. 9; this way, development will spread to all parts of the state,” the governor said.
Mr Mutfwang, who thanked the people of the two zones for overwhelmingly voting him as governor, said that the party would not fail them.
Also, the PDP chairman in the state, Chris Hassan, thanked the people of the zones for their support.
He thanked them for coming out in their numbers to welcome the governor.
Mr Hassan reiterated that the PDP was committed to transforming lives and improving the living condition of the people across the state.
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