By Dr. Lord Ukwu & Comrade David Adenekan
The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO USA) is Nigeria’s premier and foremost pro-democracy group based in Washington, D.C. USA. The group is committed to deepening sustainable democracy, the rule of law, good governance, electoral accountability, and transparency in Nigeria.
On February 25, 2023, Nigeria held a Presidential election which was marred by several irregularities. Asides the obvious flaws, that were clearly and roundly condemned by local and international observers, there were so many procedural issues. Pre-eminent among them is the question of the University Diploma that was submitted to the electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), by the candidate of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who now sits as the president of Nigeria.
Chicago State University (CSU) in response to a deposition query stated that the diploma that Mr. Tinubu submitted to INEC was not issued by them. At the same time CSU alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu actually graduated from the school and presented a transcript of results purporting to be that of President Bola A. Tinubu.
1. If so, who issued the diploma and where did Mr. Tinubu obtain the diploma from? Why did CSU not issue a diploma certificate to a student the school claimed graduated from CSU? Could Chicago State University have issued a Certificate to a student who has not met or satisfied the required credits for graduation?
The Nigerian people would like an answer to the question above because the authenticity of the diploma has thrown Nigeria into a political upheaval ever since the conclusion of the election.
Furthermore, the Nigerian people and NADECO USA would like clarifications on the following:
Based on the pertinent portions of the transcripts obtained during the deposition of CSU Registrar, Mr. Welberg, the University authority admitted that, the Bola A. Tinubu with Social Security number: 231-06-0595, who attended CSU had completed a total of 105 credit hours and needed to have completed an additional 15 credit hours in order to graduate. Those classes included but were not limited to English 222 and Mathematics.
2. So, did Bola A. Tinubu eventually complete those 15 credit hours, and if he did, when did he take them?
Additionally, transcripts from South West College that enabled Mr. Tinubu to gain admission as a transfer student, bear a Social Security number different from Mr. Tinubu’s Social Security number.
The transcripts further show that the gender of the applicant was female, whereas, Mr Tinubu who supposedly graduated from CSU, is a male.
3. Again, the gender of the transferring student was stated as that of a female and therefore, it has become necessary to clarify why it is so, upon graduation, the gender has changed to male. Mr. Tinubu seems to be associated with two Social Security numbers.
4. The Chicago State University (CSU) should explain why he has two Social Security numbers. As if that was not confusing enough, it has been confirmed that one of the Social Security numbers, 231-06-0595, originally issued in the State of Virginia is currently being used by someone else, a female.
NADECO therefore, demands the following:
A: The BOARD OF TRUSTEES of Chicago State University (CSU) should thoroughly investigate the bizarre circumstances regarding the issues raised above.
B: That the UNITED STATES FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS, (FBI) should also initiate an investigation regarding the same concerns raised above.
C. We would also like a clarification from the FBI about a letter making the rounds that purports to have been issued by the FBI in response to Nigeria’s Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) inquiry as to whether Mr. Tinubu attended Chicago State University (CSU). According to the letter from the FBI office, Mr. Tinubu did neither attend nor graduate from CSU.
Kindly reconcile the CSU position that Mr Tinubu attended CSU versus yours which states that he did not.
D. NADECO USA would like the FBI to find out if Mr. Tinubu had in the past several years made any donations to Chicago State University (CSU) directly or through third parties. This question is important to the extent that, we would like to know if there were some monetary or other inducements made to CSU aimed at securing certain privileges from CSU.
E: NADECO USA would also like the FBI and the Social Security Administration to determine how a Social Security number belonging to another person began to be used by Mr. Tinubu. The issue is, whether it is a matter of identity theft or, was the original owner of the number aware that her Social Security number was being used by another person. If SS#: 231-06-0595 is not President Tinubu’s, what is his true Social Security number and under what name it is under?
F: Who actually owns the Social Security number, 231-06-0595, written on the transcripts that the Chicago State University registrar used as an exhibit that was attached to the deposition given under oath?
G. We, as citizens of Nigeria from all over the world, are asking and requesting the United States University Accreditation Body and Chicago State University Board of Trustee to look into this matter in order to clear the good reputation of Chicago State University (CSU).
NADECO USA is committed to the struggle to save Nigeria from corrupt and bad leaders. We therefore seek your cooperation to help Nigeria do a thorough and complete background check on Mr. Bola A. Tinubu, an enigma that has consistently fought to hide his true identity.
The world needs to know why President Bola A. Tinubu habitually goes to court to stop the release of his documents if he does not have anything to hide?
Since Tinubu is now the President of Nigeria, it’s in the interest of Nigerian national security and global security for the world to make sure that the man who presides over the affairs of the biggest democracy and economy in Africa, is not a criminal, a certificate forger, or an identity thief.
Nigeria as the most populous black country in the world must be handled with care as the impact of a failed Nigerian state or a Nigeria where criminality is institutionalised will be devastating to the world, especially if Nigerians start emigrating to Europe, America and other parts of the developed world.
As American voters and firm believers in democracy, we appeal to our elected officials to take this issue serious to protect democracy in Nigeria and as a whole. Nigerian-American-American voters will be looking at candidates records and responses to Nigerian issues before we cast our votes. We’re no longer going to be voting “one size fits all” type of voting, candidates must earn our votes before they get them.
● Being full text of NADECO USA world press conference held in the city of Chicago on 23rd Oct. 2023.