LAWMAKER, LAWYERS SLAM ATIKU OVER TINUBU CREDENTIALS CONTROVERSY

A member of the House of Representatives and a group of lawyers have criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his renewed challenge to President Bola Tinubu’s academic and NYSC credentials ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The lawmaker representing Agege Federal Constituency, Wale Ahmed, described the controversy as a political distraction and urged opposition politicians to focus on presenting alternative solutions to Nigeria’s economic, security and governance challenges.

The criticism followed Atiku’s fresh legal action seeking Tinubu’s disqualification from the 2027 presidential election over allegations surrounding his NYSC certificate. The allegations remain before the court and have not been judicially established.

Ahmed said public officials could be subjected to legitimate scrutiny but argued that political campaigns should not be dominated by unresolved allegations.

He urged political candidates to explain their policies and how they intend to address issues such as unemployment, insecurity, infrastructure and the economy.

Similarly, a group known as The Progressive Counsel criticised Atiku’s request to the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation for records relating to Tinubu.

The group argued that allegations against political candidates should be subjected to the same legal and constitutional standards and called for equal scrutiny of all contenders.

Atiku has maintained that his legal actions are aimed at ensuring constitutional compliance and allowing the courts to determine the authenticity and legal implications of the disputed documents.

The development reflects the growing political tension ahead of the 2027 election, as supporters and critics of both leading politicians continue to clash over the direction of the campaign.

The court is expected to determine the legal issues surrounding the disputed credentials, while political activities continue across the country.