Former Senate Leader and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Senator Ali Ndume, has dismissed the controversy surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s academic credentials as a distraction ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
According to Daily Post, Ndume said the attention being given to the issue could take focus away from the major issues Nigerians expect political parties to address before the election.
The controversy resurfaced after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) published the personal particulars and credentials of presidential candidates for the 2027 election.
Tinubu’s submission lists his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University, obtained in 1979. His primary and secondary school details were not listed in the relevant sections of the EC9 form.
The development has triggered fresh debate among opposition figures and other political actors. It has also revived questions that have followed Tinubu’s academic history for years.
Ndume, however, believes the issue should not dominate the 2027 political conversation. The APC chieftain argued that Nigerians should pay greater attention to the records and plans of the candidates seeking their votes.
He maintained that the coming election should focus on issues that directly affect citizens. These include the economy, security, infrastructure and the general welfare of Nigerians.
The controversy has already moved beyond political arguments. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) recently filed a suit challenging Tinubu’s qualification to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Meanwhile, supporters of the President have defended his nomination documents. Former South-East spokesman to Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, argued that submitting a university degree was enough to establish the constitutional education requirement for the presidency.
With the 2027 campaign already underway, the dispute over Tinubu’s credentials is unlikely to disappear soon.
However, Ndume’s position suggests that the APC leadership should not allow the controversy to overshadow the party’s broader campaign message as it prepares for another presidential contest.
