- ADC chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo publicly challenged President Tinubu’s eligibility to hold the office of president
- INEC published credentials of 2027 presidential candidates, revealing Tinubu submitted only his university certificate
- The absence of primary and secondary school certificates from Tinubu’s INEC submission has reignited debate over his educational background
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has declared that President Bola Tinubu does not meet the constitutional requirements to serve as Nigeria’s president, citing gaps in the educational credentials the president submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Okonkwo’s remarks came after INEC published documents submitted by candidates contesting the 2027 presidential election. According to the published records, Tinubu provided only his university certificate. No primary or secondary school certificates were included among his submissions.
Okonkwo’s argument against Tinubu’s eligibility
The ADC chieftain argued that submitting a university certificate alone is insufficient under Nigerian law, which he said requires candidates to demonstrate a complete educational history. He maintained that the absence of primary and secondary school certificates disqualifies Tinubu from occupying the presidency.
The publication of candidate credentials by INEC has drawn public attention to what documents Tinubu chose to file ahead of the 2027 election cycle. The missing certificates have revived a long-running controversy about the president’s educational background, a subject that has surfaced repeatedly since before his 2023 election victory.
Tinubu’s educational records under scrutiny
Questions about Tinubu’s academic qualifications are not new. During the lead-up to the 2023 general elections, opponents raised similar concerns about whether documents he submitted to electoral authorities were complete and authentic. Those challenges were ultimately decided in Tinubu’s favour by Nigerian courts.
However, the fresh INEC publication has given critics renewed grounds to revisit the issue. Okonkwo is among those who believe the incomplete submission reflects a failure to satisfy the minimum educational standard required of a presidential candidate under Nigerian law.
Legit.ng has previously reported on legal and political challenges surrounding President Tinubu’s eligibility, including court cases filed ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Source: Legit.ng