By Daniel Edu
Paul Ibe, the media adviser to the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, made a statement on Friday suggesting that President Bola Tinubu is withholding information regarding his academic records.
Ibe’s remarks came in response to a recent motion filed by President Tinubu, challenging the Northern District of Illinois’ order directing the Chicago State University to release his academic records within two days. This order followed a case initiated by Atiku, who is contesting Tinubu’s victory.
In the motion filed by his legal team, President Tinubu argued that in such matters, a magistrate should only report and recommend to the district judge, rather than making a final order for immediate compliance.
Ibe’s statement, released on Friday, reads, “It should now be evident, even to the blind, that Tinubu is concealing something in his records at the Chicago State University and possibly elsewhere. I hope whatever it may be, it will not be of such magnitude as to shock Nigerians. The truth about Tinubu’s records at CSU will soon come to light. It’s just a matter of time.”
On July 11, the former Vice President filed a petition seeking to access further details of Tinubu’s academic records at the Chicago State University. The documents sought by Atiku, through his counsel, Angela M. Liu, include records of Tinubu’s admission and acceptance at the university, dates of attendance, degrees obtained, awards, and honors received, among other information.
Both President Tinubu and the Chicago State University, through their legal representatives, have raised objections to the requests, citing privacy rules.