The authenticity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's claimed Diploma Certificate from Chicago State University (CSU) has become a contentious issue, particularly in light of its use for securing clearance to participate in the 2023 presidential election under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In the latest development, Mr. Carl Westberg, a top official of CSU and the university's Registrar, raised questions about the replacement copy of the Diploma certificate that Tinubu submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Westberg, speaking under oath, stated that this was the first time he had encountered the Diploma certificate copy in question during the legal proceedings.
The witness, who was subpoenaed to testify by the order of Judge Nancy Maldonado, supported the court's directive for the release of Tinubu's academic documents to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Atiku had contested the declaration of Tinubu as the winner of the February 25, 2023 presidential election, citing various grounds, including allegations of Tinubu submitting forged documents to INEC.
In pursuit of his claim, Atiku sought a US District Court order compelling CSU to release Tinubu's academic records for verification and authentication. Following the court's ruling, CSU was instructed to release these records and provide a deposition by an official of the institution.
In compliance with the court's order, Westberg testified on oath, asserting that the Diploma certificate used by Tinubu to secure eligibility for the presidential election was not a document issued by CSU. Notably, Westberg highlighted discrepancies, including the absence of a board of trustees at the institution in 1979, as opposed to the claim made on the certificate submitted by Tinubu.
Regarding the signatures on the certificate, Westberg acknowledged variations in signature, logo, and seal when comparing those from 1979 to the one Tinubu submitted to INEC. He specifically pointed out that the signature on the replacement certificate matched certificates issued in the 1990s, rather than those from 1979 as stated by the President.
A certified true copy of Westberg's deposition and cross-examination is anticipated to be provided to Atiku to further support his allegations of forgery against Tinubu. The case's final phase, seeking Tinubu's disqualification from the 2023 presidential election, is currently pending before the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
