The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to the recent court order granted in favour of Atiku Abubakar for the release of President Bola Tinubu’s academic records at Chicago State University (CSU).
A federal court in Chicago had ordered CSU to release Tinubu’s academic records to Atiku, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), within two days.
Documents sought by Atiku, through his counsel, Angela Liu, include the record of admission and acceptance at the university, dates of attendance including degrees, awards and honours attained by Tinubu at the university, among others.
But the APC has described Atiku’s effort as “an expedition in futility”.
APC’s deputy national publicity secretary, Duro Meseko, said the ruling party was not bothered by the court order, stressing that the President had nothing to hide.
“The President has always said over and again that he has nothing to hide. His records are there for all to see. Chicago University has also written severally to say that this man is from us. Nothing has changed. There is no cause for alarm. It is an expedition in futility,” he said.
In its reaction, the Presidency noted that Tinubu’s academic record would be of no value to the PDP presidential candidate, noting that Atiku and his party were simply chasing shadows.
A presidential aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that Atiku cannot present new evidence in court other than those he presented before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal which ruled in Tinubu’s favour on September 6.
“After getting the President’s records, how will that help Atiku’s case? The university has not recanted its often-stated position that President Tinubu graduated in 1979 from the school,” the aide said.
“Atiku and PDP are chasing shadows. The President’s academic records have no probable value to Atiku’s case in court. At Supreme Court, you can’t plead new evidence outside what you frontloaded at the court of first instance which is the Appeal Court that has decided on the Presidential election petition.’’
Politics Nigeria recalls that Atiku had approached the US court for an order compelling the CSU to release Tinubu’s academic records.
The former Vice President alleged that Tinubu’s academic records were forged.
Tinubu’s credentials indicated that he graduated from CSU in 1979 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting and Management, but there have been allegations bordering on discrepancies with his certificate.
