On Tinubu’s Certificate – Frank Ofili

Whatever happened, or didn’t happen, in the past, Chicago State University knows enough to take the prudent course of action in the face of current reality.

Even if the University does not know what to do, Washington will provide the necessary guidance. It won’t be the first time America’s seat of power will get involved in some ramshackle business.

The reality is that Tinubu is today the (elected) President and Commander-in-Chief of the most populous country in Africa, and by extension, the Black world. Whatever happens in Nigeria would have reverberative effect, not only in Africa but in the world, and America would be forced to get involved one way or another.

That aside, it is trite international law that a sovereign cannot be impleaded in the court of another sovereign. Tinubu today represents the sovereignty of Nigeria in the comity of nations. That is fact.

Given what has been circulating on social media platforms, no body knows what to believe, or in deed, what is the truth, But even if Mr. President truly faked his certificate from Chicago State University (a shame if that were to be case), will the University be willing, to be responsible for the negative after-effect, in Nigeria, of whatever action it might want to take, in good conscience, with regard to the certificate, forged or not? Will it be willing to scuttle what our Presidential Election Petition Tribunal has settled? Will it be willing to upturn the wish of majority of Nigerians expressed on Election Day 25th February 2023?

More to the point, will the White House and the American courts be willing to hand victory over to Atiku, a man not high on the integrity pedestal himself? Will they be willing to allow Chicago State University act independently in this case?

My guess is that Washington will not allow a “mere” certificate torpedo relations between Nigeria and Uncle Sam country or put a cog in the wheel of our democratic march forward, for that matter. White House will certainly act to prevail on Chicago State University to preserve the status quo until either Tinubu leaves office or something happens along the way. Prudence and realpolitik dictate that sometimes some truths must be buried forever.

Na so I see am. But it is a real shame that we are having to grapple with the authenticity, or lack of it, of our President’s certificate. A big shame!

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[First published on another platform on 1st October 2023, a day before the Chicago State University released details of Tinubu’s certificate]