‘What Are You Hiding?’ – PDP Queries Tinubu Over Appeal To Stop Academic Records’ Release

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has berated President Bola Tinubu over an appeal against the release of his academic records to its 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Recall that Atiku had filed a suit at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois to compel the Chicago State University (CSU) to produce the academic records of Tinubu, who claimed to have attended the institution.

In his suit, the former Vice President said his request for the academic records would strengthen his suit challenging Tinubu’s victory in the election.

A US Magistrate Judge, Jeffery Gilbert, granted the request of the PDP candidate and ordered CSU to release the president’s academic records.

However, Tinubu filed an appeal against the order, saying that the release of his academic records would be injurious to him.

Meanwhile, Atiku has also filed another appeal at a US Court, asking the court to overrule Tinubu‘s objections to the release of his academic records.

Reacting to the development in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP said the appeal filed by Tinubu shows that he is hiding something that does not want to be found.

The party asserted that Tinubu’s quest not to have his academic records released is a “disservice” to Nigerians, adding that the move is a direct conflict with the president’s public declarations that his academic records are impeccable.

PDP said the All Progressives Congress (APC) must come clean on the desperation to conceal certain vital details of Tinubu’s academic records at the CSU from the public.

The statement reads: “The PDP states that the Application by the lawyers urging the US District Court of Illinois not to release the said academic details is in direct conflict with the public declarations by President Tinubu that his academic records are impeccable.

“The PDP recalls that President Tinubu had in a public function openly asserted to Nigerians that: ‘I was one of those most recruited graduates of my university, multiple honours, First Class Degree and I have the reference point’.

“In view of the above assertion, the PDP, therefore, holds that the plea by the lawyers that the details of his academic record should not be released is a great disservice to President Tinubu in particular and Nigeria in general.

“The PDP also criticised the APC for allegedly being silent on the fire outbreak at the Supreme Court, claiming it was intended to frustrate electoral cases at the apex court.”