Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for an independent, transparent, and comprehensive investigation into the academic and professional credentials of all members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), beginning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Atiku’s call follows the resignation of Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who stepped down amid controversy over the authenticity of his academic certificates. Though Nnaji insists his resignation is not an admission of guilt, the former vice president said the development exposes what he described as “a deep moral crisis at the heart of the Tinubu administration.”
In a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Atiku alleged that President Tinubu’s own credentials have been clouded in controversy for decades, citing issues surrounding his identity, age, and educational background.
“This episode is not isolated. It is a reflection of a pattern, a rot that begins from the very top,” Atiku stated.
“The man who occupies the office of President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has for decades been enmeshed in controversies surrounding his identity, age, and academic records.”
He referenced the Chicago State University saga and other alleged inconsistencies in Tinubu’s sworn statements, arguing that such controversies have undermined public trust.
“When a man of questionable identity leads a country, deception becomes the standard of governance. Tinubu’s personal history of alleged forgery and perjury has effectively institutionalized falsehood in public service,” Atiku said.
The former vice president accused Tinubu’s administration of enabling corruption and dishonesty among its officials, saying,
“It is, therefore, unsurprising that his ministers and aides have taken after his example falsifying documents, inflating records, and desecrating the moral foundation of our nation.”
Atiku faulted the president’s decision to allow Nnaji to resign “honourably” instead of being dismissed and prosecuted, describing it as another attempt to shield wrongdoing.
“Let the truth be told: Uche Nnaji should not have been allowed the courtesy of resignation. He should have been summarily dismissed and prosecuted for deceit and falsification,” he said.
“By permitting him to quietly exit through the back door, the Tinubu administration has once again demonstrated that it is an assembly of forgers, impostors, and morally bankrupt individuals masquerading as public servants.”
Atiku also criticized the Department of State Services (DSS) for clearing Nnaji despite the alleged certificate irregularities, questioning the integrity of the vetting process.
“What makes this even more embarrassing is that the same Department of State Services (DSS), which screened out Mallam Nasir El-Rufai for alleged ‘security concerns’, is the very agency that cleared this same character, Uche Nnaji,” Atiku said.
“The DSS truly deserves our flowers for this national disgrace. Their failure of due diligence has made Nigeria an object of ridicule before the world and raises the question: how many more such individuals are occupying sensitive positions in this government?”
Atiku maintained that only a credible and independent audit of all ministers’ credentials can restore public confidence in the government.
What you should know
Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former vice president (1999–2007) and perennial presidential candidate, has long been one of President Tinubu’s fiercest critics.
His renewed call for a credentials audit underscores growing political pressure on the Tinubu administration following a series of controversies surrounding ministerial appointments and integrity issues within the cabinet.
