Ali Ndume urges opposition to focus on Tinubu's performance, not certificates, ahead of 2027 elections

Ndume, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, stated in Abuja that the renewed focus on Tinubu’s credentials is a distraction. He suggested that opposition presidential candidates should present alternative economic policies and discuss how they can improve upon Tinubu's government's handling of economic policies and insecurity, given that the President has been in office for over three years. Ndume's comments follow renewed concerns from opposition figures regarding blank entries for primary and secondary schools in Tinubu's EC9 form, although Tinubu listed a B.Sc in Business Administration from Chicago State University and attached his degree and NYSC discharge certificates.

Ndume, the senator representing Borno South, emphasized that Tinubu met the educational requirements of Section 131d of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates a minimum of "School Certificate level or its equivalent." He also noted that the courts had already settled the issue of Tinubu's qualification after the 2023 presidential election. Ndume urged opposition parties to elevate the level of political debate as the 2027 elections approach, moving beyond what he termed "pettiness."