The release of the academic records of President Bola Tinubu to the counsel of the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party , former Vice President Atiku Abubakar by the Chicago State University , has continued to elicit diverse reactions....
According to him, “Whatever happens in the Supreme Court, Nigeria’s image has been battered and the consequences will not be palatable. Already, carrying the Nigerian International Passport makes many foreigners disrespect you. Now, imagine how Nigerians will be treated abroad. This is a country looking for foreign investors and collaboration with many countries. The issue here goes beyond legal implications, we are losing a moral battle as a country.
Through his lawyers, Atiku sought for the example of a CSU diploma issued in 1979; Tinubu’s diploma issued in 1979; example of a CSU diploma that “contains the same font, seal, signatures and wording” as Tinubu’s diploma issued in June 1979 and CSU documents certified and produced by Jamar Orr, an associate general counsel at CSU at the time.
“There is absolutely nothing to fear. What is it that would make for the president to be removed? The certificate released to them is the same certificate the president submitted to INEC. So, what is it that we are afraid of? “The level of patriotism politicians are displaying on the issue of Nigeria is very appalling and abysmal. I am a patriot. I love this country passionately. And when people drag this country in a manner Atiku has dragged it, is very disheartening. I would have wished that he would confine his aspiration within the ambit of reason and patriotism.”
“If that had happened, all the reverberations across the entire world wouldn’t have been, and perhaps the matter would have been resolved quietly in a manner that would have been a bit more tranquil and noble than the international embarrassment the country is getting from it. The US judicial system has proved its mettle on its stance on the case and this is one great lesson our own system and those that administer it must take home as serious food for thought.
“In my mind, this Chicago revelation is a national disgrace. It is very shameful and we are becoming shameless in everything and everywhere. Our judiciary needs creativity and innovation on how to handle the disgrace of our nation Nigeria,” Makolo said.