Toba Owojaiye Reporting
Abuja , Nigeria
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticized a report by Premium Times claiming he refused to release his academic records upon request.
In a statement titled ‘Atiku’s records and Premium Times’ voyage of mischief,’ Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, denounced the report as a “callous and odd” piece lacking adherence to journalistic ethics.
Truth Live News gathered that Premium Times alleged that Atiku declined to disclose his academic records, prompting Paul Ibe, Atiku’s media aide, to question why the news platform did not approach the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the documents.
According to Ibe, all the documents cited in the report are already in the public domain, and Premium Times failed to engage in due diligence by not seeking verification from INEC, the custodian of such records.
The statement highlighted Atiku’s academic affiliations with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom. Ibe emphasized that Premium Times did not reach out to these institutions or request records from the West African Examination Council (WAEC), demonstrating a lack of thoroughness in their reporting.
Accusing Premium Times of engaging in a “witch-hunt” rather than pursuing truth and public interest, Ibe pointed out the newspaper’s selective focus. He questioned Premium Times’ reluctance to investigate revelations from Chicago State University, hinting at a potential conflict of interest as the newspaper’s owner has ties to the current government.