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By Bayo Davids
The United States of America chapter of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO USA) has again waded into the controversy surrounding the academic certification of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu particularly in relation to his records at the Chicago State University (CSU).
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the body’s Executive Director, Dr. Lord Ugwu and Publicity Secretary, Comrade David Adenekan, NADECO raised a litany of questions bordering on alleged compromise by CSU to leave above board in the Tinubu’s certificate saga.
The statement read in part, “On February 25, 2023, Nigeria held a Presidential election which was marred by several irregularities. Asides the obvious flaws, that were clearly and roundly condemned by local and international observers, there were so many procedural issues. Pre-eminent among them is the question of the University Diploma that was submitted to the electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), by the candidate of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who now sits as the President of Nigeria.
“Chicago State University in response to a deposition query stated that the diploma that Mr. Tinubu submitted to INEC was not issued by them. At the same time CSU alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu actually graduated from the school and presented a transcript of results purporting to be that of President Bola A. Tinubu. 1. If so, who issued the diploma and where did Mr. Tinubu obtain the diploma from? Why did CSU not issue a diploma certificate to a student the school claimed graduated from CSU? Could Chicago State University have issued a Certificate to a student who has not met or satisfied the required credits for graduation?
“The Nigerian people would like an answer to the question above because the authenticity of the diploma has thrown Nigeria into a political upheaval ever since the conclusion of the election. Furthermore, the Nigerian people and NADECO USA would like clarifications on the following: Based on the pertinent portions of the transcripts obtained during the deposition of CSU Registrar, Mr. Welberg, the University authority admitted that, the Bola A. Tinubu with Social Security number: 231-06-0595, who attended CSU had completed a total of 105 credit hours and needed to have completed an additional 15 credit hours in order to graduate. Those classes included but were not limited to English and Mathematics.
“Did Bola A. Tinubu eventually complete those 15 credit hours, and if he did, when did he take them? Additionally, transcripts from South West College that enabled Mr. Tinubu to gain admission as a transfer student, bear a Social Security number different from Mr. Tinubu’s Social Security number. The transcripts further show that the gender of the applicant was female, whereas Mr Tinubu who supposedly graduated from CSU, is a male.
“Again, the gender of the transferring student was stated as that of a female and therefore, it has become necessary to clarify why it is so, upon graduation, the gender has changed to male. Mr. Tinubu seems to be associated with two Social Security numbers.
“CSU should explain why he has two Social Security numbers. As if that was not confusing enough, it has been confirmed that one of the Social Security numbers, 231-06-0595, originally issued in the State of Virginia is currently being used by someone else, a female.”
That said, NADECO urged CSU’s board of trustees and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to investigate the matter and speak up accordingly.
“We would also like a clarification from the FBI about a letter making the rounds that purports to have been issued by the FBI in response to Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) inquiry as to whether Mr. Tinubu attended Chicago State University.
“NADECO USA would like the FBI to find out if Mr. Tinubu had in the past several years made any donations to Chicago State University (CSU) directly or through third parties,” it added.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the body’s Executive Director, Dr. Lord Ugwu and Publicity Secretary, Comrade David Adenekan, NADECO raised a litany of questions bordering on alleged compromise by CSU to leave above board in the Tinubu’s certificate saga.
The statement read in part, “On February 25, 2023, Nigeria held a Presidential election which was marred by several irregularities. Asides the obvious flaws, that were clearly and roundly condemned by local and international observers, there were so many procedural issues. Pre-eminent among them is the question of the University Diploma that was submitted to the electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), by the candidate of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who now sits as the President of Nigeria.
“Chicago State University in response to a deposition query stated that the diploma that Mr. Tinubu submitted to INEC was not issued by them. At the same time CSU alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu actually graduated from the school and presented a transcript of results purporting to be that of President Bola A. Tinubu. 1. If so, who issued the diploma and where did Mr. Tinubu obtain the diploma from? Why did CSU not issue a diploma certificate to a student the school claimed graduated from CSU? Could Chicago State University have issued a Certificate to a student who has not met or satisfied the required credits for graduation?
“The Nigerian people would like an answer to the question above because the authenticity of the diploma has thrown Nigeria into a political upheaval ever since the conclusion of the election. Furthermore, the Nigerian people and NADECO USA would like clarifications on the following: Based on the pertinent portions of the transcripts obtained during the deposition of CSU Registrar, Mr. Welberg, the University authority admitted that, the Bola A. Tinubu with Social Security number: 231-06-0595, who attended CSU had completed a total of 105 credit hours and needed to have completed an additional 15 credit hours in order to graduate. Those classes included but were not limited to English and Mathematics.
“Did Bola A. Tinubu eventually complete those 15 credit hours, and if he did, when did he take them? Additionally, transcripts from South West College that enabled Mr. Tinubu to gain admission as a transfer student, bear a Social Security number different from Mr. Tinubu’s Social Security number. The transcripts further show that the gender of the applicant was female, whereas Mr Tinubu who supposedly graduated from CSU, is a male.
“Again, the gender of the transferring student was stated as that of a female and therefore, it has become necessary to clarify why it is so, upon graduation, the gender has changed to male. Mr. Tinubu seems to be associated with two Social Security numbers.
“CSU should explain why he has two Social Security numbers. As if that was not confusing enough, it has been confirmed that one of the Social Security numbers, 231-06-0595, originally issued in the State of Virginia is currently being used by someone else, a female.”
That said, NADECO urged CSU’s board of trustees and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to investigate the matter and speak up accordingly.
“We would also like a clarification from the FBI about a letter making the rounds that purports to have been issued by the FBI in response to Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) inquiry as to whether Mr. Tinubu attended Chicago State University.
“NADECO USA would like the FBI to find out if Mr. Tinubu had in the past several years made any donations to Chicago State University (CSU) directly or through third parties,” it added.