2023: Tinubu Fights To Retain Bid To Contest

By Uche Mbah

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a frontline Presidential aspirant under the All Progressives Congress, APC, is speculated to be having a tough battle in his quest to fulfill his ambition.

Tinubu has built bridges, especially, in the North, that he believes would give him the ticket.

But his high hopes may be dwindling, especially, in Kano with its usually unprecedented votes. He had Kano tied, based on his strong relationship with its Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje. But a petition which could crash his ambition is before the PDP Presidential screening panel headed by former National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun.

The petition written by one Mai Iyali, who claims to be an APC member from  Kano state, is an indication that either Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has turned against Tinubu, or his grip on the party structure is slackening.

Ganduje was reelected Governor in 2019, using what has been variously described as “Tinubu’s Osun Template,” which used a few Local Government rerun to win.

Iyali, in the petition, asked the Presidential Screening Committee to disqualify Bola Tinubu over “questionable educational qualifications”.

In a letter dated May 17, 2022, Mai Iyali, who copied Abdullahi Adamu, APC National Chairman, and Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman, pleaded with the party to disqualify Tinubu. He cited alleged false documents Tinubu tendered to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 1998.

“We understand that Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has since procured his expression of interest and nomination forms and has submitted the same to the party has certain issues that clearly amount to a similar disqualification scenario,” Iyali wrote.

“From the information contained in prior submissions to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), particularly in 1999, Mr. Tinubu presented a false claim, on oath, of his attendance at University of Chicago from 1972-1976.

“It is clear now that these claims are false. Not only was this filed in the INEC form with a declaration on oath on December 20 1999, it was also contained in an affidavit of loss sworn to before the High Court of Lagos, Ikeja Registry, December 29th 1998.

“The latter claim that seeks to transpose history is untenable. Mr. Tinubu has to show proof he attended University of Chicago or he must stand disqualified as the opposition is in possession of these same documents. Over the years, the identity of Asiwaju Bola Anmed Tinubu has been shrouded in secrecy.

“In fact, no one can claim to know the identity of the man. Repeated efforts and demands by the general populace and the media to unravel the identity of Asiwaju Tinubu have all proved abortive and unsuccessful.

“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu rather chose and prefers an incognito lifestyle. Part of the man that has remained hidden is his educational background. Before now, so many reporters have launched discreet investigations to unravel the truth about the educational background of Asiwaju without success.

“We therefore urge the screening committee to invoke the powers vested on it by the constitution and guidelines of the party to disqualify Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from taking part in the APC primary election for the presidential election.”

Iyali attached copies of alleged Tinubu’s nomination form and affidavit in respect of lost certificates to back up his claims.

Though Tinubu previously admitted there were errors in his INEC filings in 1999, he was cleared by the Lagos state house of assembly of perjury on his qualifications.

He faced the Screening Committee at the Transcorp Hotel Abuja on Monday, May 30.