ABUJA/Nigeria: In a dramatic twist, Nigerian President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has taken legal action in the United States to quash a subpoena that demands details about his educational background, specifically his claim of attending the Chicago State University. The subpoena was initiated by counsels representing his political rival, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who seeks to shed light on the authenticity of Tinubu’s educational records.
Issued on July 11, 2023, Atiku’s subpoena calls for a representative of the Chicago State University to appear for a deposition on July 21 to verify Tinubu’s attendance and academic credentials at the institution. The petition filed by Atiku contends that Tinubu had previously asserted attending various educational institutions in the Chicago area, including the aforementioned university.
“To test the truth and veracity of Mr. Tinubu’s assertion, Petitioner must depose a corporate representative of the Respondent (Chicago State University) regarding educational records or lack thereof from the respondent,” the petition stated.
Atiku’s legal team expressed concerns over the Nigerian President’s reluctance to reveal his educational background, suggesting that there may be undisclosed discrepancies. They are determined to pursue the matter further, with a source within the team affirming, “We shall approach the court again to set aside his request, and it is in the interest of our country, Nigeria, that we must get to the roots of this matter.”
In response to the subpoena, President Tinubu instructed his lawyers to seek the court’s intervention and quash the subpoena, citing technical grounds. However, the move has only added to the intrigue surrounding his educational claims.
As the legal battle unfolds, questions linger about the authenticity of Tinubu’s educational qualifications, and the public awaits further developments in this contentious issue.
