ADC chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo has declared that President Bola Tinubu is not qualified to occupy Nigeria’s highest office.
Okonkwo, a lawyer and former presidential campaign spokesperson, made the comment on Monday in a post shared on his X account.
He argued that questions surrounding the certificates submitted by Tinubu before the 2023 presidential election remain unresolved and should have legal consequences.
According to him, the President failed to satisfy constitutional requirements relating to educational qualifications and eligibility to contest for the office of President.
“Nigeria has its laws that should be respected. No Nigerian is qualified to go to a University without 5 credits at the O’ Level. Tinubu purporting to be qualified for President by providing a foreign University certificate, which the University publicly declared did not emanate from it, without providing his secondary school certificate or its equipment disqualifies him from being President,” he wrote.
The latest comments add to the argument that has followed Tinubu since the 2023 presidential election, particularly over documents submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as part of his nomination process.
The issue gained international attention during legal proceedings in the United States involving records from Chicago State University (CSU), the institution Tinubu said he attended. The matter was raised by opposition figures who challenged the President’s election victory and sought access to academic records held by the university.
Okonkwo maintained that the controversy goes beyond politics and should be viewed from the standpoint of constitutional compliance and respect for the rule of law.
He insisted that public office holders must meet all legal requirements and that the same standards should apply to every Nigerian regardless of status or political influence.
Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has criticised key economic policies introduced by the Tinubu administration, saying they have deepened hardship across the country and placed additional pressure on ordinary Nigerians.
Makinde spoke on Monday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the unveiling of candidates of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for forthcoming elections.
Represented by party leader Hon. Babatunde Tijani, the governor said Nigeria requires major reforms in governance, security and the economy to address growing challenges facing citizens.
He argued that the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, two major policy decisions introduced by the Federal Government shortly after Tinubu assumed office, have significantly increased the cost of living.
According to him, the policies triggered higher transportation costs, rising food prices and mounting economic pressure on households across the country.
Makinde said Nigerians were bearing the burden of reforms without adequate measures to cushion their effects, adding that government policies should improve the welfare of citizens rather than worsen existing difficulties.
The governor also stressed the need for policies capable of stimulating production, creating jobs and restoring confidence in the economy.
Recall, the issue surrounding President Tinubu’s certificates resurfaced recently after fresh calls were made for clarification on documents submitted to INEC during the 2023 election process.
On June 22, 2026, a civil society organisation, the Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy (CFRPA), formally wrote to INEC seeking clarification on issues relating to the academic credentials submitted by Tinubu.
The group said the matter remained important to public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system and future elections.
The request revived discussions that first gained prominence in September 2023 during court proceedings in the United States involving Chicago State University.
During one of the hearings, counsel to the university, Michael Hayes, told the court that the institution could not conclusively verify the specific certificate submitted by Tinubu to INEC.
“Is the diploma authentic, or is it a forgery? My client can’t answer yes to either of those questions,” Hayes said during the proceedings.
He further stated: “My clients just don’t know,” while responding to questions regarding the origin of the certificate presented to Nigeria’s electoral commission.
Tinubu, however, has consistently defended his educational records. During an appearance at Chatham House in London before the 2023 election, he dismissed allegations surrounding his academic qualifications and insisted that his records were consistent.
