In a surprising twist in Nigeria’s political landscape, Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, has submitted fresh documents to the Supreme Court, accusing incumbent President Bola Tinubu of forgery and perjury.
The core of this new evidence, presented by the former vice president, revolves around President Tinubu’s academic records, which were obtained from Chicago State University (CSU) and provided to Atiku following an Illinois court order in the United States.
This order compelled the institution to release the academic records, which Atiku had been pursuing in Nigerian courts to substantiate his claims that Tinubu had forged a certificate allegedly acquired from CSU in 1979. This certificate was submitted to Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in connection with the 2023 presidential election.
A member of Atiku’s legal team, speaking anonymously to PUNCH, confirmed the submission of President Tinubu’s academic records to the Supreme Court. However, the exact details of the filing were not disclosed, emphasizing the sensitivity of the matter.
Chris Uche, Atiku’s lead counsel at the tribunal, hinted that the process was ongoing, stating, “I am sure they are working on it. I will provide information if I have any.”
Paul Ibe, a media consultant to Atiku, also confirmed that the new evidence would be submitted before the midnight deadline on Friday, intending to bolster the grounds of appeal previously presented.
Regarding the nature of the requests within the new evidence, Ibe clarified, “The additional evidence, which concerns the certificate submitted by Tinubu to INEC, will support the petition. However, this is not the only ground; our initial Supreme Court filing comprised 35 grounds. The Chicago evidence is supplementary in support of the application.”
While members of Atiku’s legal team, Chris Uche and Mike Ozekhome, confirmed the impending submission of new evidence, they refrained from disclosing its specific contents.
Kalu Kalu, one of Atiku’s legal counsels, previously asserted during a press conference that President Tinubu had forged the certificate presented to INEC, pointing out discrepancies in the document’s details. Kalu highlighted a female name, an alleged attendance at a non-existent school, and a different middle name compared to Tinubu’s NYSC certificate submitted to INEC.
Responding to these allegations, Tunde Rahman, an aide to President Tinubu, dismissed Atiku’s actions as a politically motivated vendetta driven by an excessive desire for power. Rahman labeled Atiku’s Supreme Court pursuit as a “wild goose chase,” arguing that the former vice president was trying to rally political and community leaders against Tinubu.
As the legal battle escalates, it remains uncertain how the Supreme Court will handle this new evidence and whether it will impact the ongoing proceedings. Critics question the timing and nature of Atiku’s claims, raising doubts about their legitimacy, while supporters assert that these allegations warrant thorough examination. The Nigerian political landscape continues to be embroiled in controversy and intrigue as the legal drama unfolds.
