Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing him and his administration of institutionalizing forgery and deceit in public office.
Atiku’s latest statement follows the resignation of Uche Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, whose credentials were recently called into question over alleged falsification. Nnaji’s exit, which the government described as a “voluntary resignation”, has sparked outrage in some quarters, with Atiku insisting that the development is part of a much deeper rot at the heart of the Tinubu administration.
In a strongly-worded statement released on Tuesday, Atiku said Nnaji should not have been allowed to resign quietly but instead should have been sacked and prosecuted for presenting false documents to secure a ministerial appointment.
“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.
He described the Tinubu administration as “an assembly of forgers, impostors, and morally bankrupt individuals masquerading as public servants,” alleging that the president’s personal history has set a dangerous standard for others to follow.
According to Atiku, the Department of State Services (DSS) also shares blame for the scandal, questioning how the same agency that blocked Nasir el-Rufai’s ministerial nomination for “security concerns” was able to clear Nnaji without detecting alleged irregularities in his academic and professional records.
“The DSS truly deserves our flowers for this national disgrace. Their failure of due diligence has made Nigeria an object of ridicule before the world,” Atiku added.
The former vice president further stated that the issue of forged certificates and credentials in public service is no longer isolated. He pointed to long-standing allegations surrounding President Tinubu’s own academic records, particularly his controversial Chicago State University certificate saga, which has fueled debate over his true identity and credentials.
“When a man of questionable identity leads a country, deception becomes the standard of governance,” Atiku declared.
He called for a comprehensive and independent investigation into the academic and professional credentials of all members of the Federal Executive Council, beginning with President Tinubu himself.
“Nigerians deserve to know the truth about those who preside over their lives and resources,” he said, warning that until such a clean-up is done, the country will continue to suffer from “moral decay, economic ruin, and global embarrassment.”
Atiku concluded by calling on Nigerians to demand transparency and accountability from their leaders, stressing that restoring integrity to public life is essential for national recovery.
