Former Vice President and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has taken another swipe at President Bola Tinubu querying his primary and secondary education claim.
As reported by The Punch in a story titled “Tinubu should tell Nigerians how he got degree without primary, secondary education – Atiku”, the former Vice President made this known via his X (formerly Twitter) verified account on Sunday.
According to him, in 1999, Tinubu claimed to have attended St. John’s Primary School in Aroloya, Lagos State before proceeding to Children’s Home School in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
He added his (Tinubu) next port of call in his educational journey was the Government College Ibadan and the Richard Daley College after which he proceeded to Chicago State University in the United States.
“I woke up this morning wondering how we got to this cul de sac. In 1999, Tinubu claimed he attended St. John’s Primary School, Aroloya, Lagos, before proceeding to Children’s Home School in Ibadan.
“According to him, his next port of call in his educational journey was Government College Ibadan and, Richard Daley College and Chicago State University in the United States.
“Curiously, in 2023, Tinubu settled with attending only Chicago State University in the United States,” he tweeted.
Atiku further urged well-meaning Nigerians to query Tinubu’s declaration of no primary and secondary education yet has a university degree.
“I am scratching my head. How is that possible? Methinks that all well-meaning Nigerians should be as confused as I am with Tinubu’s declaration that he had no primary and secondary education, yet he has a university degree.
“You may wish to #AskTinubu how he attained this feat so that we can learn from his ingenuity.”
Atiku had recently filed a separate case No. 23-5099 (N. D. III.) at the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Tinubu in the United States.
This is different from the suit requesting the academic records of Tinubu which read that he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the Chicago State University.
However, in a story titled “Knocks for Atiku over controversial tweet on Tinubu’s academic records”, the former Vice President has come under fire for tackling President Bola Tinubu over the latter’s academic records at Chicago State University (CSU), United States.
According to the report, Atiku had recently approached a U.S. court for an order compelling Chicago State University (CSU) to release the academic records of Tinubu.
The CSU had reportedly replied, confirming that President Tinubu graduated from the institution in 1979.
Tinubu’s credentials show that he graduated from CSU in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting and management.
Atiku’s tweet, according to the newspaper, elicited flurry of reactions from many of the president’s supporters who reportedly rose stoutly in his defense, and knocked Atiku for making such comments.
Reacting, a commenter Musa Ahmad (@real_aahmad) said: “You’re not talking about winning the election now but Tinubu’s educational background. I don’t know how you suddenly retire from active politics to Twitter influencer”
Another social media user, @Balogun_Jamih, said: “Just as El-Rufai retired Shehu Sani to the club of wailer and Twitter influencers. President Tinubu has successfully retired Atiku Abubakar to the club of wailer and Twitter influencers.”
Also, @Asakemijimi lampooned Atiku saying: “President Tinubu is really giving Atiku sleepless nights. Since when did Atiku start doing shalaye on Twitter? Sir, please try again in 2031.”
nother user, @chibuzo_mikel tweeted: “I said it that Atiku needs help. Losing four presidential elections can affect the mental state of the strongest man negatively.”
@jeffphilips1 said: “Look at that tweet again and it’ll dawn on you that Tinubu, in his first go at the presidency, not just only defeated Atiku, but he actually retired him after 32yrs in the race.”
@Egi_nupe_ tweeted: “If Atiku didn’t engage in petty and dirty politics since 2007 that he’s been contesting, I strongly doubt 2023 will make him do that.
“Atiku is the most classy and mature political figure we have ever seen. He doesn’t roll in the mud, and would never stoop so low, no matter what. So I don’t believe that he authorized that Tweet. Never!”
