The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has questioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s eligibility to participate in the 2027 presidential election, citing concerns over his educational background and information contained in documents allegedly submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to a report published by Daily Post on Monday, August 3, 2026, the opposition party claimed that sections relating to the President’s primary and secondary school history in his reported INEC nomination documents were left incomplete, a development it said has reignited discussions surrounding his academic records.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, lawyer and ADC member Kalu Kalu alleged that President Tinubu had previously presented educational documents that were questionable. He argued that under the 1999 Constitution, any individual found to have submitted a falsified certificate to INEC could be disqualified from contesting for the presidency.
Kalu referred to Section 137(1)(j) of the Constitution, which he said prevents anyone who presents a forged certificate to the electoral body from seeking the office of President.
The ADC chieftain further alleged that some institutions listed in connection with Tinubu’s early education were either not operating during the periods stated or were inaccurately represented. He claimed that these issues have remained part of ongoing debates over the President’s academic history.
According to Kalu, the controversy gained more attention after former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, pursued legal efforts to obtain further information about Tinubu’s educational background during the 2023 election period.
He suggested that the scrutiny surrounding those records may have influenced why details concerning the President’s primary and secondary education were allegedly absent from recent documents submitted to INEC.
Kalu also discussed the legal battle involving Tinubu’s academic records from Chicago State University (CSU) in the United States. He noted that the institution released documents after a U.S. court directed it to provide the records requested during the legal process.
He stated that Atiku had sought access to the documents through the court, leading to the release of information relating to Tinubu’s academic history.
The ADC chieftain alleged that the documents released during the process contained details claiming Tinubu attended Government College, Lagos, and completed his studies in 1970. He questioned the accuracy of that information, alleging that the institution was established after the year stated.
Kalu also raised concerns over a General Certificate of Education (GCE) document reportedly linked to the University of Cambridge, alleging that questions had been raised about its authenticity during the admission process at Chicago State University.
He maintained that the Chicago State University records remain one of the key educational documents associated with President Tinubu’s qualification submissions to INEC and have continued to attract public attention since the 2023 presidential election.
The ADC representative further alleged that some admission-related documents contained inaccurate information and argued that such issues could affect the President’s constitutional qualification to seek another term in office.
He cited Section 1(1) of the 1999 Constitution, stressing that the Constitution remains the highest law in Nigeria and should guide decisions concerning eligibility for public office.
However, Kalu acknowledged that the Supreme Court has previously ruled that certain pre-election challenges involving a candidate’s qualification are usually restricted to individuals who contested within the same political party. He argued that constitutional requirements on disqualification should take priority over procedural limitations.
President Tinubu has repeatedly maintained that his academic records are genuine and valid. The allegations surrounding his educational history have remained a subject of political debate and legal discussions, but no final court judgment has disqualified him from contesting future elections.
