Toba Owojaiye reporting
Chicago State University has announced a significant development in the ongoing legal dispute involving the authenticity of President Bola Tinubu’s 1992 replacement certificate. This revelation comes in response to Judge Nancy Maldonado’s order to provide requested documents to Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate.
After a thorough search of their archives, the university has uncovered three certificates that bear a striking resemblance to the replacement certificate presented by President Tinubu to INEC in 1992. Atiku Abubakar, in his request, sought copies of diplomas issued by CSU (excluding Mr. Tinubu) that share specific characteristics with Exhibit C of the First Liu Declaration. This exhibit is believed to be a CSU diploma issued to Mr. Tinubu on or around June 22, 1979.
Chicago State University responded by providing the documents designated as CSU 0008 through CSU 0010. For privacy reasons, the students’ names on these diplomas have been redacted. Furthermore, the university has produced additional diplomas, labeled as CSU 0011 and CSU 0012, issued to other CSU students, with their names similarly redacted, which closely match the format of the Tinubu replacement diploma dated June 27, 1997.
However, in response to Atiku’s request for a copy of Mr. Tinubu’s 1979 certificate, the university has maintained its stance that it does not retain copies of students’ diplomas, particularly one issued as far back as 1979.
This development has significant implications for the ongoing legal proceedings, potentially weakening Atiku Abubakar’s claims and casting doubt on the uniqueness of President Tinubu’s replacement certificate. The discovery of similar diplomas at Chicago State University could alter the course of this high-profile case.