How did Tinubu graduate before Govt College Lagos’s establishment? ADC challenges Shettima

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, Presidential Campaign Council has criticised Vice-President Kashim Shettima for mocking former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his educational background, challenging him to explain discrepancies in President Bola Tinubu’s academic records.

The council accused Shettima of diverting attention from Nigeria’s economic difficulties by attacking Atiku’s education, arguing that the government should focus on the rising cost of living, hunger and transportation costs confronting Nigerians.

Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, stated this in a statement issued on Monday, October 26.

The reaction followed remarks attributed to Shettima at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, where the vice-president reportedly criticised Atiku over his attendance at the Kano School of Hygiene.

Shaibu questioned why Shettima would ridicule Atiku’s educational background while Nigerians struggled with the cost of food, fuel and transportation.

“At the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja today, Vice President Kashim Shettima had a chance to explain why Nigerians are struggling to afford fuel, transport and food. Instead, he mocked Atiku Abubakar for attending the Kano School of Hygiene,” he said.

The ADC campaign council maintained that Atiku had nothing to be ashamed of in his educational journey, describing his experience as similar to that of millions of Nigerians who pursued education with limited resources before building their careers.

It accused the vice-president of looking down on Nigerians whose educational opportunities were shaped by their financial circumstances.

ADC questions Tinubu’s academic records

Shaibu challenged Shettima to address questions surrounding Tinubu’s academic records, particularly a discrepancy involving the date of establishment of Government College Lagos and the year of graduation listed in documents associated with the president’s Chicago State University records.

According to the statement, a document in Tinubu’s Chicago State University records lists him as having graduated from Government College Lagos in 1970, while the school was established in 1974.

“ If Shettima wants to examine school records, he should begin with the man he serves,” Shaibu said.

The campaign council also raised questions about the name on a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate Tinubu submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

It alleged that the certificate bore the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle” and noted that Atiku had challenged the discrepancy in court.

Shaibu argued that Shettima should address questions surrounding the president’s records instead of ridiculing the educational background of an opposition leader.

The statement further referred to litigation in the United States concerning the release of Tinubu’s Chicago State University records, insisting that questions raised about documents submitted in connection with his election should be addressed on their merits.

It also referenced the historical forfeiture of funds in Chicago arising from a narcotics investigation involving Tinubu, describing the matter as one that continued to attract public interest.

The ADC campaign council, however, did not provide new documentary evidence in the statement to substantiate its allegations.

Campaign cites poverty and food insecurity

The opposition campaign council also challenged Shettima’s reported warning that Atiku’s proposed policies could cause Nigerians to “backslide into penury”.