Lawmaker, lawyers criticize Atiku Abubakar for renewed focus on Tinubu's credentials

As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 general elections, a member of the House of Representatives and a coalition of lawyers have voiced strong criticism against Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress. Their ire is directed at Abubakar's renewed efforts to scrutinize President Bola Tinubu's United States record, academic qualifications, and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) credentials. These critics view Abubakar's persistent focus on these matters, including a fresh legal challenge and a request to the U.S. FBI for records, as a significant distraction from the substantive issues confronting the nation.

Dr. Wale Ahmed, the lawmaker representing Agege Federal Constituency, stated that the controversy surrounding Tinubu's academic and NYSC credentials serves as a political diversionary tactic. He urged opposition politicians to shift their focus towards presenting viable solutions to Nigeria's multifaceted challenges. Ahmed emphasized that the allegations against President Tinubu are still pending judicial review and should not be treated as established facts. "The case remains pending, and the allegations have not been established by a court," he asserted, highlighting the need for due process.

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The case remains pending, and the allegations have not been established by a court.

While acknowledging that public officials are subject to legitimate scrutiny, Ahmed argued that the 2027 election campaign should prioritize policy debates, governance effectiveness, and candidates' abilities to address the country's pressing concerns. "Nigerians deserve a campaign of ideas, not an endless recycling of allegations," he stated. He further questioned the continued emphasis on presidential certificates when critical issues such as the economy, insecurity, infrastructure deficits, and widespread unemployment remain paramount for the populace.

Ahmed also cautioned against conflating the controversy surrounding Tinubu's Nigerian credentials with a separate legal matter in the United States. He differentiated between legitimate scrutiny and what he termed "political obsession," urging that election campaigns should not be reduced to repeatedly litigating the same allegations. While respecting Abubakar's presidential ambitions, Ahmed suggested that the current political landscape and existing arrangements should also be considered in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

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Nigerians deserve a campaign of ideas, not an endless recycling of allegations.