Narrative Around Tinubu’s Academic Credentials Distraction, Says Ndume

Former Senate Leader and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Ali Ndume, has explained why opposition parties should not focus on President Bola Tinubu’s academic qualifications ahead of the January 16 presidential election.

Ndume spoke in a press statement on Monday.

Recall that opposition parties have raised concerns over Tinubu’s academic credentials after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, published details of the academic qualifications of 19 presidential candidates and their running mates.

Reacting, Ndume maintained that Tinubu has fulfilled the eligibility requirements for the office and dismissed the insinuation that his secondary school certificate ought to have been attached.

Citing Section 131(d) of the 1999 Constitution, the former Senate Leader submitted that “the Constitution only establishes a minimum educational threshold, but it does not insist on the particularity of a secondary school certificate as the only means by which that threshold can be met”.

“ A person shall be qualified for election to the office of the President if—

(d) he has been educated up to at least school certificate level or its equivalent,” he stated.

According to Ndume, opposition parties should focus on Tinubu’s policies and performance as a sitting President rather than his eligibility for the office, which he noted had been settled by litigation arising from the 2023 presidential election.

“The narrative around his certificate, in my opinion, is distracting,” the senator added.