Tinubu Told To Explain Missing School Records In INEC Form

Ex-Sports Minister Solomon Dalung has urged President Bola Tinubu to clarify why the portions designated for his elementary and high school credentials were left empty within the personal records presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the upcoming 2027 presidential polls.

Dalung voiced this demand via a statement published on his official X profile on Saturday, responding to the contender profiles unveiled by the electoral body.

He specified that his commentary stemmed purely from the paperwork published by the electoral agency and should not be construed as a direct accusation leveled against the leader of the country.

“I just read the published particulars of presidential candidates released by INEC for the 2027 election, and one thing immediately caught my attention,” Dalung wrote.

He highlighted that Tinubu exclusively provided details regarding his university credentials while omitting any entries for primary and secondary educational levels.

The former federal official argued that this omission sparks legitimate inquiries requiring proper explanation, emphasizing that governance relies heavily on public confidence fostered through clarity rather than obscurity.

“If there is a perfectly reasonable explanation, Nigerians deserve to hear it. Public office, especially the presidency, is built on public trust. Trust flourishes where there is openness, not ambiguity,” he stated.

Dalung contended that the identical yardstick of accountability expected from alternative political contenders ought to apply equally to the sitting leader.

He insisted that the core issue does not involve whether Tinubu attended specific foundational schools, but rather whether individuals holding state power ensure complete disclosures on mandatory official documents.

Furthermore, Dalung pointed out that openness remains the most effective mechanism for resolving public doubts, noting that silence frequently amplifies rumors.

“The same standard applied to every other candidate should apply to the incumbent President. No more, no less.

“The easiest way to put every question to rest is transparency. Silence rarely ends speculation; openness usually does,” he added.

Dalung’s public critique followed INEC’s release of aspirants’ personal files on Saturday.

An examination of Tinubu’s EC9 candidate form indicated that the president exclusively reported a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration earned from Chicago State University back in 1979 under academic qualifications, leaving the designated fields for elementary and high schooling blank.

Nonetheless, the president appended copies of his university diploma and National Youth Service Corps certificate among the verification documents filed with INEC.