On Friday, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stirred the reactions of Nigerians after he reportedly told the Independent National Electoral commission, INEC, that he didn’t attend primary and secondary schools, and that every other certificates he acquired were stolen by unknown soldiers.
In an affidavit which was submitted to INEC and cited by Peoples Gazette, Tinubu, however, claimed that although he didn’t attend primary and secondary schools, he had two degrees from two American universities which were later stolen.
The submitted affidavit to INEC according to Peoples Gazette is said to be part of his (Tinubu’s) eligibility filings for the 2023 presidential elections.
Further reports observed that the documents’ columns for Tinubu’s primary and secondary education were left unmarked.
Speaking on his stolen certificate. Tinubu was quoted by the report as saying: “I went on self-exile from October 1994 to October 1998. When I returned I discovered that all my property, including qualifications and my certificates respect of paragraph three above, were looted by unknown persons.
“My house was a target of series of searches by various security agent the time the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was forced to adjourn following the military takeover of government of 17th November 1993.
“I was the chairman of the Senate committee on appropriation, banking and finance. I was also a plaintiff in one of the two suits against the interim national government in 1993.
“I went on exile when it became clear to me that my life was in danger.”