Jonathan’s PhD, Obi’s Degree Changed Nothing for Nigeria — APC Chieftain Defends Tinubu

A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alwan Hassan, has dismissed arguments that academic qualifications determine leadership competence, insisting that the educational credentials of prominent opposition figures have not translated into better governance or political judgment for Nigeria .

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday, Hassan argued that former President Goodluck Jonathan’s doctorate (PhD), Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi’s university degree (BSc), and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s credentials had not produced any significant national transformation. He questioned the relevance of these qualifications in practical governance and political decision-making, challenging their tangible impact on the country’s development trajectory. “Tell me what Jonathan’s PhD has done to Nigeria. Tell me how Obi’s degree (BSc) has helped improve his communication skills. Tell me what it has done to Atiku to help him navigate and know the time to contest or when to concede for the best person of the time,” Hassan said. According to Hassan, the opposition has failed to present substantive criticisms against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, relying instead on debates over his academic background rather than engaging with policy issues and governance outcomes. He accused opposition leaders of being driven by personal ambition rather than offering meaningful policy alternatives, stating bluntly that “these guys are greedy guys. They don’t have any substance to hold this man.”

Hassan also defended President Tinubu against lingering allegations surrounding his certificate from Chicago State University, maintaining that there is no official declaration from the institution that the certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was forged. He argued that the university had confirmed under oath that President Tinubu attended the institution and graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and that no court had ever ruled the document invalid. “There is nowhere that Chicago State University says the certificate President Tinubu submitted to INEC is forged. What the Constitution says is a school certificate or its equivalent. An equivalent of a school certificate is the ability to read and write,” Hassan stated. His defence anchored on judicial precedents interpreting Section 131(d) of the 1999 Constitution, which specifies the statutory minimum threshold of a “School Certificate or its equivalent” as a broad qualification designed to assess basic literacy and educational attainment, which higher academic qualifications far exceed. The APC chieftain further cited global examples to support his argument, noting that one of the world’s richest men, Bill Gates, dropped out of Harvard but still achieved greatness, demonstrating that formal credentials are not the sole determinant of success. In his view, President Tinubu has, in less than four years, done more than what some past Nigerian leaders could have achieved, and he pointed out that “there are people who are Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) in this country who did not attend primary and secondary school,” suggesting that practical experience and competence matter more than paper qualifications.

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However, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain and lawyer, Kalu Kalu, rejected the APC’s defence, insisting that questions about Tinubu’s educational records remain unanswered and that inconsistencies surrounding Tinubu’s academic history continue to fuel concerns over the authenticity of his records. “Everything about President Ahmed Tinubu’s certificate is shrouded in forgery. Today, what do we have in Tinubu’s records? There is no information as to his primary school or his secondary school,” Kalu said. He challenged the President to publicly disclose the primary and secondary schools he attended, arguing that doing so would help address lingering questions about his educational background and put the matter to rest once and for all. Kalu alleged that documents obtained from Chicago State University during litigation initiated by Atiku Abubakar raised questions about information allegedly supplied by Tinubu during his admission process, and he further argued that anyone found to have submitted forged certificates would be constitutionally disqualified from contesting for the office of President under Nigerian law. Hassan dismissed the allegations, repeatedly demanding proof that any court had declared the documents forged, and challenged his opponents to provide concrete evidence rather than speculation. “The issue is, has Tinubu at any time presented a forged certificate to INEC? Can we have your evidence that he did? Show us,” Hassan challenged, shifting the burden of proof back to the opposition.

It is worth noting that Hassan has previously expressed concerns about internal party dynamics, warning that the real danger to Tinubu’s re-election may not come from opposition parties but from within the APC itself. Speaking on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily, he stated that many ministers and governors do not genuinely support President Tinubu, drawing parallels with the internal sabotage that contributed to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s defeat in 2015 when members of his own party allegedly worked against his re-election. “A lot of ministers and governors in our party (APC) do not have President Tinubu at heart. They don’t like him for who he is; they want him for what he is,” Hassan said, suggesting that some party members are more interested in personal gain than in the president’s success. He maintained that a significant number of APC power brokers were following the same pattern, pretending to be loyal while quietly undermining the president’s political standing, and warned that this internal disaffection could pose a greater threat to Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid than any opposition challenge.

Hassan’s remarks follow fresh controversies that greeted the academic credentials submitted by President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 elections as revealed by INEC, reigniting a debate that has persisted since the 2023 presidential election. The exchange reflects continued political disagreement between the ruling APC and the opposition over Tinubu’s academic credentials, an issue that has remained a subject of public debate and legal challenges. The comments were also directed at opposition figures who have positioned themselves as alternatives to Tinubu, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi (who resigned from the ADC and was ratified as the presidential candidate of the New Democratic Congress for 2027), and others who have made their academic qualifications a point of distinction in their political campaigns. Hassan suggested that attacks on the president have been driven more by political rivalry than by genuine policy concerns, and that the opposition would be better served by presenting alternative solutions to Nigeria’s challenges rather than engaging in what he described as baseless attacks on the president’s personal history.

Jonathan’s PhD, Obi’s Degree Changed Nothing for Nigeria — APC Chieftain Defends Tinubu

Power Struggle Threatens Peter Obi-Kwankwaso Alliance Ahead of 2027 Polls

Internal power struggle threatens opposition coalition as rival groups claim authority over movement’s leadership

The OK Movement, a political support platform established to mobilise backing for the joint ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, is engulfed in a deepening leadership crisis that threatens to derail opposition unity ahead of the 2027 Nigerian presidential election. The power tussle erupted into public view following a controversial appointment that exposed bitter rivalries, competing claims to authority, and fundamental disagreements over the movement’s strategic direction and funding model.

The conflict escalated when Jackie Wayas, who identified herself as the National Convener of the movement, announced the appointment of former Inter-Party Advisory Council Chairman Peter Ameh as the movement’s National Director-General. In a statement, Wayas claimed the decision followed a meeting of the movement’s steering committee and that Ameh’s appointment was unanimously approved due to his political experience and commitment to the movement’s ideals. However, within hours of the announcement, controversy erupted as several members questioned Wayas’ authority to describe herself as the national convener. Multiple attempts by The PUNCH to obtain clarification from Wayas on when and how she assumed the position were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unreturned.

The controversy quickly exposed a wider leadership dispute within the movement, with rival factions staking competing claims to authority. Justin Ijeh, the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the movement, acknowledged the internal disagreements but insisted they should be resolved behind closed doors rather than through media platforms. In his comments to The PUNCH, Ijeh explained that there was a reason he had not spoken up on the issue, as he believed some things should be resolved behind the scenes. He emphasised that the primary target was to achieve their aim at the polls and that while it was acceptable to have differences, allowing them to come out into the public space was a significant concern. Ijeh revealed he had stepped aside as spokesman pending resolution of the dispute, noting the difficulty of functioning when “two persons declared themselves DG of an organisation.”

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However, the movement’s Director-General, John Ughulu, dismissed Ijeh as a “sacked official” and accused the rival faction of attempting to hijack the organisation. Ughulu maintained that Ijeh had been relieved of his position long ago and belonged to the other group, stating that he had relieved all of them of their responsibility to allow the movement to move forward. He maintained that Ijeh no longer had authority to speak for the organisation and accused him of partisanship and undermining the movement’s objectives.

Ughulu provided deeper insight into the origins of the conflict, revealing fundamental disagreements over the movement’s funding model. He traced his fallout with Jackie Wayas to a dispute over financial management, claiming she opposed his insistence on raising funds through small public contributions rather than from questionable sources. Ughulu explained that people were bringing in illegal money, and he insisted that would not happen because one could not verify where such money was coming from. He suggested they raise funds from the streets by encouraging Nigerians to contribute N1,000 or N500 to take care of posters, T-shirts and logistics. He added that he had made it clear from the outset that coordinators would not be paid, as they were “well-to-do on their own,” but Wayas reportedly “flared up and said no” to this approach.

Ughulu claimed that Peter Obi personally intervened to prevent the internal conflict from escalating further, urging him to avoid public commentary. He revealed that Obi pleaded with him, saying, “John, please, I beg you. Do not go to press. Do not say anything.” He confirmed that Obi had been briefed on the development and was unhappy with the situation, a position corroborated by Ladipo Johnson, a former spokesman of the New Nigeria People’s Party. Johnson, speaking on Arise Television, described the situation as a “distraction” rather than an existential threat, but confirmed Obi’s displeasure, stating that he saw the presidential candidate along with the DG and that Obi was not happy about the whole situation.

The OK Movement was conceived as a strategic political coalition designed to unite the Obidient Movement’s youthful, digitally-savvy supporters with the Kwankwasiyya Movement’s grassroots political organisation. Ughulu traced the movement’s origins to discussions aimed at creating a broader coalition capable of bringing together supporters of both candidates under one umbrella without dissolving their existing political identities. He disclosed that there was an initial agreement between the two candidates, Obi and Kwankwaso, that the OK Movement would not be relinquished and would still campaign for him in 2031 if he decides to come out for the presidential position, and he was a signatory to that agreement. He revealed that the movement’s name was deliberately chosen to attract supporters outside the traditional Obidient base, noting that there are people who love and want to support Peter Obi who are not Obidient members, and sticking only to that would make other associations and political parties unwilling to associate with them.

Adding another layer to the unfolding crisis, social media reports alleged that Obi had dismissed the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, over financial impropriety. When contacted by The PUNCH, Tanko categorically denied the allegation, stating that it was not true and that someone was just flying a kite. He mentioned that they were having a programme in the office and insisted he did not have a separate account and was not even a signatory to the account of the Obidient Movement, questioning why he would have a money-related matter. He also dismissed claims of tension between the Obidient Movement and the OK Movement, stressing that there was no crisis or internal conflict and that they were just trying to work together as a team.

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Shortly after Tanko’s defence, Idris Zekeri, Obi’s media aide, released a statement dismissing the reports as a “coordinated effort by political adversaries” to create division. The statement from the Peter Obi Media Office acknowledged recent coordinated efforts by political adversaries and disruptive individuals to create division, misrepresent their leader’s objectives, and foster artificial rifts within the movement dedicated to improving Nigeria. The statement accused unnamed political opponents of manufacturing distractions while Nigerians continued to grapple with economic hardship, insecurity and unemployment. They implored devoted supporters, including the Obidients and Kwankwasiyya movements, and all Nigerians of good conscience, to disregard rumours, fabricated stories, and deliberate provocations, including the purported sack of the Obidient Movement National Coordinator.

The internal wrangling comes at a critical period for the opposition as political groups continue consultations aimed at forging a united front capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 presidential election. While leaders of both movements have continued to insist that their disagreements are internal and resolvable, the public exchange of accusations and rival claims to leadership has raised fresh questions about cohesion within one of the emerging support platforms expected to play a significant role in opposition mobilisation. Johnson urged members to focus on strengthening the movement instead of allowing personal disagreements to undermine its broader political objectives, acknowledging that while there was a distraction, it was not significant enough to warrant unilateral actions that could scuttle or bring bad blood within the support base of the person they purportedly want to become president.

Political analysts warn that such infighting represents a significant gift to the ruling APC, as it weakens the opposition’s capacity to present a united front against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. The OK Movement’s internal crisis highlights the challenges of merging two powerful and distinct political bases, each with its own leadership structures, funding mechanisms, and strategic priorities. For the movement to fulfill its objective of mobilising a broad coalition capable of challenging the APC, leaders must resolve these internal disputes and present a cohesive vision for Nigeria’s future.

Power Struggle Threatens Peter Obi-Kwankwaso Alliance Ahead of 2027 Polls

Additional reporting by The PUNCH

Gumi: Clerics who join politics are better than those praying for politicians

Prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, has defended the participation of religious scholars in politics, arguing that clerics who actively engage in the political process and accept its challenges are better positioned to contribute to society than those who remain outside and only pray for political leaders.

Gumi made the remarks amid growing debate over whether Islamic clerics should participate directly in partisan politics or focus exclusively on religious teachings, spiritual guidance and public advocacy.

The discussion has gained renewed attention following the political involvement of several respected Islamic scholars, particularly in northern Nigeria, where religious leaders play influential roles in community development, public discourse and social affairs.

The issue has become more prominent following the emergence of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, as a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State ahead of the 2027 general election.

Pantami’s political ambition has generated mixed reactions, with supporters describing his participation as an opportunity for a religious scholar and public policy expert to contribute directly to governance. However, critics have raised concerns about the possible impact of partisan politics on the independence, public image and moral authority of religious leaders.

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While some religious scholars have previously held political appointments or served in government, the increasing interest of prominent clerics in elective offices has renewed debate over the appropriate role of religious leaders in Nigeria’s political system.

Those opposed to clerics participating in partisan politics argue that the political environment can be highly divisive and may expose religious leaders to personal attacks, public criticism, political rivalry and allegations that could affect the respect they command among their followers.

They believe clerics may be more effective when they remain independent of political parties and use their platforms to provide spiritual guidance, promote ethical leadership, advise public officials and hold governments accountable.

Supporters, however, argue that religious scholars should not remain on the sidelines while the country continues to face challenges related to governance, insecurity, economic hardship and public service delivery.

They maintain that scholars who possess leadership experience, professional competence, integrity and a clear vision for public service should be free to seek elective offices and participate directly in efforts to improve governance.

According to this view, meaningful political change may require responsible citizens, including religious leaders, to move beyond public criticism and take part in the decision-making process.

Weighing in on the debate in a Facebook post, Gumi said there was nothing wrong with religious scholars joining politics and participating actively in governance.

He argued that clerics who enter politics and endure its demands are making a more direct contribution than those who remain outside the political system and only offer prayers for elected officials.

“A religious scholar who gets involved in politics and bears its rigours is better than one who sits on a prayer mat, offering prayers for politicians,” Gumi wrote.

Gumi’s comments reflect the view that religious scholars should be prepared to participate in practical efforts aimed at improving leadership and governance rather than limiting their involvement to sermons, prayers and public commentary.

The scholar’s position has added a fresh dimension to the ongoing conversation about the relationship between religion and politics in Nigeria, especially as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election continue to gather momentum.

The debate is expected to remain active as more religious leaders consider political appointments or elective offices and as Nigerians continue to assess the role of faith-based leadership in public governance.

While supporters believe clerics can bring moral values, discipline and accountability into government, critics insist that religious leaders must carefully protect their independence and avoid allowing political affiliations to divide their communities.

Ultimately, the debate raises broader questions about whether direct political participation would enable religious scholars to contribute more effectively to governance or expose them to political pressures that could affect their religious responsibilities and public influence.

Gumi: Clerics who join politics are better than those praying for politicians