Atiku’s Call for Certificate Probe Sparks Fresh Debate Over Tinubu Cabinet’s Credibility
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s demand for an investigation into the academic and professional credentials of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his cabinet has reignited public debate over integrity in government appointments.
Atiku made the call on Wednesday via a post on his official X handle, following the resignation of Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.
Nnaji stepped down after a Premium Times investigation alleged that he did not complete his university education and that both his bachelor’s degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate submitted during his screening were forged.
The scandal has intensified scrutiny of the vetting process for political appointees, with many Nigerians questioning how Nnaji passed security clearance.
In a statement titled “Forgery as State Policy: Tinubu, His Cabinet, and the DSS Must Be Held Accountable,” Atiku described the minister’s resignation as an attempt to play down what he called a “national disgrace.”
“Let the truth be told: Uche Nnaji should not have been allowed the courtesy of resignation. He should have been summarily dismissed and prosecuted for deceit and falsification,” Atiku said.
“By permitting him to quietly exit through the backdoor, the Tinubu administration has once again demonstrated that it is an assembly of forgers, impostors, and morally bankrupt individuals masquerading as public servants.”
He also criticised the Department of State Services (DSS) for approving Nnaji’s appointment despite the alleged irregularities.
“What makes this even more embarrassing is that the same Department of State Services (DSS) which screened out Mallam Nasir el-Rufai for alleged ‘security concerns’ is the very agency that cleared this same character, Uche Nnaji. The DSS truly deserves our flowers for this national disgrace,” Atiku said.
“Their failure of due diligence has made Nigeria an object of ridicule before the world and raises the question: how many more of such individuals are occupying sensitive positions in this government?”
The former PDP presidential candidate said the development reflected a deeper crisis within the administration.
“This episode is not isolated. It is a reflection of a pattern, a rot that begins from the very top,” he said.
“The man who occupies the office of President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has for decades been enmeshed in controversies surrounding his identity, age, and academic records.”
Atiku accused the President of setting a poor example for public office holders.
“When a man of questionable identity leads a country, deception becomes the standard of governance,” he wrote.
“Tinubu’s personal history of alleged forgery and perjury has effectively institutionalized falsehood in public service.”
The former vice president called for a transparent probe into the academic records of all Federal Executive Council members, beginning with the President himself.
“I, therefore, call for an independent, transparent, and comprehensive investigation into the academic and professional credentials of all members of the Federal Executive Council, beginning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself,” he said.
“Nigerians deserve to know the truth about those who preside over their lives and resources.”
Atiku concluded by warning that Nigeria would continue to suffer reputational damage unless integrity was restored to governance.
“Until this cleansing is done, Nigeria will continue to sink deeper into moral decay, economic ruin, and global embarrassment. The time has come to rescue our country from the grip of deceit and restore integrity to public life,” he added.
