Politics
Like Tinubu, Atiku, Okowa, others inform INEC of missing certificates
A number of candidates running for offices in the country have reportedly told the Independent National Electoral Commission that their academic credentials are missing.
A report by the Nigerian Tribune lists Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate; Ifeanyi Okowa, PDP vice-presidential candidate; Sani Yabagi, Action Democratic Party (ADP) presidential candidate; AbdulMalik Ado Ibrahim, Young Progressives Party (YPP) presidential candidate; and Kabiru Masari, “placeholder” for the VP slot of the APC, have all given reasons why they do not have some of their original academic credentials.
Tinubu
In an affidavit, Tinubu, former governor of Lagos, reportedly said he went into exile during the reign of the late Sani Abacha, former head of state, and at the time he was away from the country his property was looted with his certificates missing.
“I went on self-exile from October 1994 to October 1998, when I returned and discovered that all my property, including all the documents relating to my qualifications and my certificates were looted by unknown persons,” he was quoted as saying in the affidavit to INEC.
Atiku
The PDP presidential candidate, in an affidavit presented to the electoral commission, reportedly said he wished to be known by his current name because his WAEC certificate carries the name “Siddiq Abubakar”.
The former vice-president reportedly declared GCE certificate obtained in 1965 and a master’s degree obtained in 2021.
YPP presidential candidate
The YPP presidential candidate reportedly said he lost his original B.Sc and diploma certificates.
“[I lost my] original BSc certificate issued by American College of Los Angeles, dated 1988; High School Diploma issued to me by Langley High, Norwich, UK dated 1979 and official degree transcript,” Ado Ibrahim reportedly said in an affidavit to INEC.
“That all efforts made to trace the said documents have proved abortive.”
ADP candidate Yabagi
In an affidavit, the ADP standard-bearer reportedly changed the name on his University of Colombia (US) certificate obtained in 1978 from “Sani Yusuf” to “Yabagi Yusuf Sani”.
Okowa

In an affidavit, the PDP vice-presidential candidate reportedly said his WAEC certificate obtained in 1974 is missing.
“That I personally enrolled and sat for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) West African School Certificate (WASC) examinations in the year 1974 at Edo College, Benin City, in now Edo state,” he was reported to have said in the document.
“That I passed the said examinations and was subsequently issued the said certificate therefore. That the original of the said certificate issued to me is now missing, lost and cannot be found.
“That I make this oath for the records and do so knowing and believing the same to be true and in accordance with the Oaths Law of the Bendel State as applicable to Delta state.”
Masari

Alhaji Kabir Ibrahim Masari
Masari, the placeholder for the VP slot of the APC, reportedy said he lost his Katsina teachers college and primary school certificates while in transit in Abuja.
“That sometime in January 2021, while in transit within Wuse Area, FCT, Abuja, I discovered that my original Certificate of Occupancy of plot NoKT 17522, GRA Katsina Estate; Certificate of Kaduna State Development Centre from 1994-95; Grade 11 Certificate from Katsina Teachers College from 1979-83 and First Leaving School Leaving School Certificate issued by Masari Primary School Katsina State from 1972-78 got lost,” he was reported to have said.
“That all efforts made to trace the documents proved abortive hence this affidavit. That this affidavit is required for record purpose and for all authorities and persons concerned to take note.”
Politics
Osun PDP Lawmakers Endorse Tinubu for 2027, Back Adeleke Re-Election
Osun PDP Lawmakers Endorse Tinubu for 2027, Back Adeleke Re-Election
Lawmakers of the Osun State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, while also declaring their support for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid in 2026.
The endorsement was announced at a joint meeting of the PDP lawmakers in Osogbo, where they said the decision was driven by what they described as the need for political stability, continuity in governance, and sustained development at both the state and federal levels.
Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, said the endorsement of President Tinubu was based on his administration’s policies and interventions, which, according to them, have had a positive impact on Osun State and the South-West region.
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Egbedun noted that backing President Tinubu for a second term would strengthen federal-state collaboration, especially in the areas of infrastructure development, security, and economic reforms, while also ensuring continued federal presence in Osun.
The lawmakers also unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Governor Adeleke, citing what they described as his people-oriented leadership style, commitment to workers’ welfare, and ongoing projects across key sectors, including education, healthcare, road infrastructure, and local government development.
According to the PDP legislators, Governor Adeleke’s administration has prioritised inclusive governance, fiscal discipline, and the restoration of public confidence in government, adding that these achievements make him deserving of a second term in office.
They dismissed suggestions that endorsing President Tinubu, who belongs to a different political party, contradicts their loyalty to the PDP, arguing that the move reflects political pragmatism and the overriding interest of Osun State.
The lawmakers stressed that their decision does not weaken the PDP in Osun but rather positions the state to benefit from harmonious political alignment between the state and the federal government.
Reaffirming their commitment to the PDP, the legislators said they would continue to work for the party’s success in future elections while supporting leadership choices they believe would advance peace, stability, and development in Osun State and Nigeria at large.
Osun PDP Lawmakers Endorse Tinubu for 2027, Back Adeleke Re-Election
Politics
Ex-APC Chairman Ganduje Discusses Kano Politics, National Leadership Plans
Ex-APC Chairman Ganduje Discusses Kano Politics, National Leadership Plans
Former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman and ex-Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has opened up about life after leaving office, his ongoing projects, and the future of Kano State politics in an exclusive interview.
Ganduje described life after office as less stressful but still busy, noting that he remains actively involved in party politics both in Kano and Abuja. He explained that while the pressures of leadership are gone, politics and governance never truly end. “You can’t just stop, since politics and governance never really end,” he said.
The former governor revealed that he is spending much of his time writing books to keep his mind sharp and contribute to knowledge-based politics. Among his current projects are “Abuja: Evolutionary Development of a City in Nigeria’s Capital Territory,” “Progressive Leadership and Sustainability of Democracy in Nigeria,” and “Progressive Party Ideology and Philosophical Direction.” Ganduje stressed the importance of education, research, and ideology in sustaining democracy and shaping effective governance.
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Reflecting on his early life, Ganduje highlighted how knowledge, experience, and patience shaped his political journey. From attending primary school in a remote village to earning a PhD from the University of Ibadan, he emphasized that education and persistence were crucial in achieving his goals. His career spanned roles as local government secretary, commissioner, deputy governor, governor, and APC national chairman, providing him with extensive governance experience from the grassroots to the national level.
On Kano politics, Ganduje expressed pride that his predictions of a progressive return to APC in the state have been realized. He highlighted APC’s success in delivering the highest number of delegates and votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during primaries and defeating the PDP in the general election by over 500,000 votes.
Addressing the Kwankwasiyya Movement and former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Ganduje dismissed claims that the movement could challenge APC dominance in Kano. “The Kwankwasiyya Movement will not have any impact. Even though you see large crowds, the APC can mobilize bigger numbers if we choose,” he said, stressing that public sentiment favors APC due to concerns over the use of state resources for national ambitions by opposition leaders.
Ganduje also left the door open for political reconciliation with Kwankwaso, provided they share a common vision for the state and country. “I am ready. Politics is about interests. There are no permanent enemies or friends… What matters is what we want to achieve,” he said.
On the national stage, Ganduje addressed fears that northern Nigeria may not support President Tinubu in 2027, dismissing the notion as wrong. He emphasized that most Northerners accept the rotation of the presidency and are supportive of Tinubu completing his term. “Politics will always have noise, but the reality on the ground is different,” he added.
Ganduje’s reflections highlight the intersection of political strategy, education, and leadership experience in shaping both personal legacy and the future trajectory of Kano State and Nigerian politics.
Ex-APC Chairman Ganduje Discusses Kano Politics, National Leadership Plans
Politics
El-Rufai Says Son Bello Remains Loyal to APC Despite Criticism of Party
El-Rufai Says Son Bello Remains Loyal to APC Despite Criticism of Party
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has clarified that his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, remains a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by personal conviction, even as he continues to critique the ruling party. Bello currently represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, where he serves his constituents independently of his father’s political stance.
El-Rufai made the disclosure during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service on Thursday evening, shortly after reportedly resisting an attempted detainment by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport upon his return from Egypt. The former governor, now a leading figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), emphasised that Bello is mature enough to chart his own political path.
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“My son Bello was elected under the platform of the APC and his electorate seem to be happy with the work he is doing, so since he is an adult of over 30 years, he can make his own choices. Politics is about personal preference,” El-Rufai said, explaining that his son’s continued stay in APC does not contradict his own opposition to the party.
He added that if Bello chooses to remain within the APC without engaging in any of the party’s perceived wrongdoing, guided by the values and home training he received, “then Alhamdulillah.”
Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, born in 1988, has represented Kaduna North since 2023 and currently chairs the House Committee on Banking Regulations. His work in the National Assembly has earned commendations from constituents, reinforcing his independent political credibility within the APC framework.
El-Rufai’s clarification comes amid ongoing political realignments in Nigeria, where personal choices sometimes diverge from family or party affiliations. The statement highlights the balance between individual political conviction and broader party loyalty, particularly in high-profile political families.
El-Rufai Says Son Bello Remains Loyal to APC Despite Criticism of Party
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