Forgery allegation: Atiku Abubakar clarifies confusion in academic credentials amidst controversy
By Sodiq Adelakun
In the midst of a heated discourse surrounding the relevance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s academic credentials, the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has come forward to explain the discrepancies in his Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) certificate.
Atiku’s comprehensive and meticulous clarification was effectively conveyed through his aide, Dele Momodu, who astutely utilised the influential social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday to cogently address the vexatious allegations of forgery levied against the former Vice President by members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The controversy arose when some members of the APC questioned the name “Sadiq Abubakar” on Atiku’s West African Examinations Council (WAEC) certificate, which differed from his other credentials.
In response to these allegations, Momodu revealed that he had forwarded the accusations to Atiku, who promptly provided an explanation for the discrepancy.
While the details of Atiku’s response were not disclosed, his clarification serves as an attempt to dispel any doubts surrounding his academic records.
However, Momodu said he forwarded the accusations to the former Vice President, who also provided an answer for the discrepancy.
However, Abubakar wasted no time in addressing these allegations. In a response forwarded by his spokesperson, Dele Momodu, Abubakar provided a detailed explanation of the situation.
He admitted to using Sadiq Abubakar as a proxy for his WAEC exams but clarified that he had legally affirmed his identity through an affidavit.
Abubakar argued that he had consistently used his real name, Atiku Abubakar, throughout his academic and professional career, leaving no room for forgery claims.
The former Vice President highlighted his academic journey, stating that he enrolled at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) as Atiku Abuakar and successfully passed his exams as Atiku Abubakar.
He further emphasised that he was interviewed by the Federal Civil Service Commission and hired into the Customs Service, all under his legal name. Abubakar’s response raises the question: if he had indeed committed forgery, how did he manage to navigate through various official processes without detection?
The statement from Abubakar has sparked a call for the APC “social media bullies” to forward their questions directly to their party leaders.
Momodu wrote, “The APC busybodies have been bombarding me with allegations of forgery against my Principal, ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR (GCON), which I immediately forwarded to him and here is his copious response: ‘Yes I used Sadiq Abubakar to sit for my WAEC and after passing my exams I went to swear an affidavit to say I am the same person as ATIKU Abubakar. I went to ABU as Atiku Abuakar and passed my Exams as Atiku Abubakar. Interviewed as Atiku Abubakar by the Federal Civil Service Commission and hired into the Customs Service as Atiku Abubakar. So where is forgery there?’ – ATIKU ABUBAKAR
“CAN THE APC social media bullies forward the deluge of questions in circulation to their boss and get instant and direct response…
I SALUTE ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR…”
Recall that the relevance of Tinubu’s academic records to Atiku’s appeal has sparked intense debates in both mainstream and social media platforms.
The controversy surrounding Tinubu’s academic background has become a focal point for those following the case closely.
