Tinubu and Atiku
The authorities of Chicago State University (CSU) have admitted error in the certificate the university issued President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reports Political Economist NG.
This was contained in the affidavit sworn to on 24 July, 2023 by one Caleb Westberg, who says he was “employed as Registrar of the university and authorized by the university to submit the affidavit on its behalf.”
The affidavit was part of a 157-page body of evidence filed on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, by Tinubu through his counsels in response to the queries raised by Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to compel Chicago State University (CSU) to produce critical documents relating to Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s identity and credentials.
The case is before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, where Tinubu on Wednesday filed his response objecting to the Court granting the subpoena of Atiku to compel Chicago State University (CSU) to produce critical documents relating to Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s credentials.
Westberg in the affidavit admitted error in the date of award on the diploma issued Tinubu, but noted that ‘the differences in the date of award on the diploma versus the certified copy is likely the result of human error. The graduation date on the certified copy is typed in manually by a person and can be inaccurate.”
“The affidavit stated that Bola Tinubu graduated and was awarded a degree from Chicago State University on June 22, 1979.
“That Chicago State University provided a diploma to Bola Ahmed Tinubu and subsequently provided a certified copy of that diploma. Both are valid and authentic diplomas of Chicago State University.”
The affidavit stated that “there are differences in font and seal on the diplomas versus the certified copy because the university updated its font and seal after the diploma was issued.”
Political Economist NG reports that Tinubu contested the February 25 Presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Atiku, by and through his counsel, had applied to the Court for an order granting him leave to compel CSU to release and verify the authenticity of documents purportedly issued to Tinubu by the university.
Tinubu was given deadline of August 23 to file his responses to the queries raised by Atiku in his petition to the US court.
Ahead of the expiration of the deadline by midnight of Wednesday, August 23, 2023, Tinubu through his counsels filed his 16-page response accompanying it with a 157-page body of evidence.
According to Tinubu, in his response, “the information sought for by Atiku is not “for use” in the electoral ballot counting challenge filed by the applicant (Atiku), and the Applicant is not an “interested person” in the other proceedings where the material could potentially be relevant.
“The discretionary factors weigh against allowing the discovery because the interested parties here are also parties in the foreign proceeding, and there is no indication that the electoral court would accept information unconnected to the ballot counting challenge.
“Lastly, the subpoenas are intrusive and overbroad and unnecessary considering the affidavit provided by Chicago State University’s registrar which clearly and conclusively establishes that Bola A. Tinubu graduated with a degree from CSU in June 1979. The Application should be denied,” Tinubu averred.
