Rep member challenges Atiku over Tinubu’s certificate controversy

By Dapo Akinrefon

The lawmaker representing Agege Federal Constituency, Dr Wale Ahmed, has criticised the renewed controversy over President Bola Tinubu’s academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) credentials, describing it as a political distraction ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ahmed, in a statement, said the continued focus on allegations surrounding the President’s certificates reflected what he described as the opposition’s failure to present Nigerians with compelling alternatives on governance.

His reaction followed a fresh legal challenge reportedly instituted by former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking Tinubu’s disqualification from the 2027 presidential election over allegations concerning his NYSC certificate.

Ahmed noted that the matter remained before the court and that the allegations had yet to be established judicially.

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

The lawmaker acknowledged that political actors were entitled to subject public officials to legitimate scrutiny but argued that elections should ultimately be about competing visions and solutions for the country.

“Nigerians deserve a campaign of ideas, not an endless recycling of allegations. If anybody believes President Tinubu has failed, let that person tell Nigerians what he will do differently and how he will do it,” he said.

Ahmed questioned the value of repeatedly revisiting the certificate controversy instead of focusing on issues such as the economy, security, infrastructure and employment.

“There is a difference between legitimate scrutiny and political obsession. If there is a case before a court, let the court determine it. But an election campaign cannot be reduced to litigating the same allegations repeatedly,” he said.

On Atiku’s renewed presidential ambition, Ahmed said he respected the former vice-president’s aspiration but argued that political considerations should also be taken into account.

“I respect the life ambition of Atiku to be President, but for now he should know that the Presidency remains in the South. A southerner must have his eight-year tenure, just as the North did between 2015 and 2023.

“Atiku should know that longevity belongs to God. He could still be President in 2031, only if he retraces his steps to the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he added.

The lawmaker maintained that Tinubu should ultimately be judged by his record in office and the direction of his administration, rather than allegations that remain subject to legal and political contestation.

“2027 cannot be reduced to who can shout loudest about a certificate. Nigerians are asking a bigger question: who has the ideas and capacity to move Nigeria forward?” Ahmed said.

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