Human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has renewed public debate over President Bola Tinubu’s educational records, saying the President could still obtain primary and secondary school qualifications through adult education or online learning programmes if necessary.
Sowore made the remarks on Monday while addressing journalists outside the Federal High Court in Abuja after proceedings in his ongoing cyberbullying trial involving President Tinubu.
His comments come amid renewed scrutiny of documents submitted by Tinubu to the Independent National Electoral Commission, which critics say do not contain details of his primary and secondary school qualifications.
Speaking to reporters, Sowore suggested that it was not too late for the President to pursue basic education through adult learning or distance education programmes. He also referenced former Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and former President Olusegun Obasanjo while arguing that education can be pursued at any stage of life.
Revolution Now activist maintained that Tinubu could still enrol in online primary and secondary education programmes to address questions surrounding his educational history.
President Tinubu’s controversy resurfaced after renewed attention was drawn to INEC records in which sections relating to Tinubu’s primary and secondary education were left blank, while his Bachelor of Science degree from Chicago State University was listed among the credentials submitted.
Question has been raised and the issue has attracted reactions from political stakeholders, including the National Publicity Secretary of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Osa Director, who questioned the absence of the President’s basic educational qualifications in the documents filed with INEC.
According to Osa, the omission raises questions that deserve clarification, noting that university education ordinarily presupposes completion of primary and secondary schooling. He also expressed surprise that the documents were accepted despite the uncompleted sections.
Questions over Tinubu’s educational records have featured in Nigeria’s political discourse for several election cycles. In his 1999 and 2003 governorship nomination documents, Tinubu listed St. Paul’s Children’s Home School and Government College, Ibadan, as his primary and secondary schools.
However, in subsequent affidavits submitted during later elections, the President stated that the certificates were among personal documents allegedly lost after his residence was looted during his self-exile under the military regime between 1994 and 1998.
Tinubu’s information contained in the President’s election documents has continued to fuel political debate, with critics calling for further clarification while supporters maintain that the matter has been addressed in previous legal and electoral proceedings.
