President Bola Tinubu has filed a motion seeking to prevent a federal court in the United States from releasing his university academic records to Atiku Abubakar, his principal opponent during Nigeria’s February 2023 presidential election.

Documents obtained by Peoples Gazette showed Mr Abubakar, on August 2, approached the States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois to issue a subpoena for Chicago State University to release Mr Tinubu’s school records, citing longstanding controversies around the Nigerian president’s background. Journalist David Hundeyin obtained records that showed a Bola Tinubu that attended Chicago State University in the 1970s was a female.

The CSU registrar’s office had told Peoples Gazette that it graduated a Bola Tinubu on June 22, 1979, but did not elaborate when pressed on whether the student was a male or female, much less if it is the same person now occupying Nigeria’s presidency.

Mr Abubakar told the court he was seeking the documents as part of discovery to strengthen his legal challenge against the declaration of Mr Tinubu as Nigeria’s president on March 1, 2023, following the hotly-contested February 23 election.

But Mr Tinubu quickly gathered his team of attorneys and asked to be added as an interested party in the suit, alleging that Chicago State University might be unable to fully protect his interest as the owner of the records being sought.

“Mr Tinubu should be allowed to join or intervene because he has a direct personal interest in records sought, his interests are not fully represented or

protected by Respondent Chicago State University, and his interests will be affected if he is not permitted to join or intervene,” the Nigerian leader argued in his motion to join the suit filed on August 3 and submitted by his Chicago attorney Christopher Carmichael.

“Chicago State University stated that its obligation is satisfied by providing notice of the application and attempt to access the records. Chicago State’s position is that it does not have an obligation to oppose the application and, therefore, CSU does not adequately represent Mr Tinubu’s interests,” the filing said.

Consequently, Mr Tinubu argued that the records should not be released because they fell under a 1974 privacy law for American students.

Mr Abubakar’s lawsuit “indirectly seeks relief against Mr Tinubu by seeking his records that the federal and state governments have determined should be confidential. See 20 U.S.C. § 1232(g) (describing the purpose of the Federal Educational Records and Privacy Act of 1974 as to protect students from a school’s unauthorized release of a student’s records); 105 ILCS 10/6(a) (prohibiting the release, transfer, disclosure and dissemination of school student records),” the attorneys argued.

A federal judge had been assigned to the case, and both parties anticipated its expedited hearing and disposal, especially after Mr Abubakar argued that the Nigerian election petitions tribunal would deliver a verdict around September 21, 2023.

Mr Abubakar previously filed a suit before a county court in Chicago, Illinois, but withdrew it in order to file a more comprehensive case at the federal court, which prompted a county judge to dismiss the earlier case from the docket and cleared the path for Mr Abubakar’s federal complaint. Even though the county court handed off the case without prejudice, some Nigerian media outlets erroneously reported that Mr Abubakar’s substantive case was dismissed. But the Nigerian opposition leader’s filing showed he withdrew the case voluntarily to avoid any perception he was abusing the court process.

Mr Abubakar, of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), welcomed Mr Tinubu’s motion to join the suit. His team of lawyers said their client did not oppose Mr Tinubu’s intention to join the suit, saying he was, in fact, previously told he should feel free to join.

Sharpsharp00123:
These igbos no go rest

Penguin2:
Tinubu has filed a motion against Atiku’s case in Chicago Court in the United States seeking to compel Chicago States University to release his credentials to the public.

The question we have to ask Tinubu is, “if you claim you attended Chicago State University, and you are sure of your details and credentials in the University Archives and Register, why are opposed to the release of same to the public?

What is Tinubu hiding?

https:///wESbJkIKJO

Curse777:




Why will you to go my school behind my back requesting my certificate


.

Sharpsharp00123:
These igbos no go rest

Kalashnikov49:
IGBOs kee you dia..spits

Mystic216:


Be sensible for once
I wonder which planet you all exhibit this level of stvpidity

One of the reasons why other tribes in Nigeria has tagged you people betrayal and can never be trusted

Bigots

Sharpsharp00123:
These igbos no go rest

Kalashnikov49:
Na Atiku file suit ..instead make Yoruba face Atiku, they are facing IGBOs. As things stand now, any IGBO that doesn't see the Generational hate and Tribalism from the Sadwasted region (SW) is a certified buzu.

Atiku file case Yoruba demons call IGBOs. This fear and slavery is disturbingly pathetic...spits

Throwback:



Spoken like an illiterate from the 3rd world who knows nothing about data protection and privacy.

Kalashnikov49:
Data protection and privacy? A litigated case has data privacy, when it's not a NDNC(Non Disclosure Non Circumvention) document? Is Tinubu's school details a cooperation document? Is it a company file? Sincerely speaking you supporters of Thiefnubuu have shown and are still showing Generational foolishness and stupidity.

If the school certification is backed by 'Privacy laws' Atiku won't even appeal it.

Why are Tinubu supporters very shallow? I thank God that people are seeing you peeps for what you really are...

Shameless and pathetic..spits

Sharpsharp00123:
betrayal

Who did we betray?

Throwback:


Mumu!

Is Atiku asking for the school certificate that is already in the public domain and presented to INEC unlike Obi that only presented his GCE having failed WAEC?

obi4eze:
BAT can run but not hide. He must relinquish power to the true winner. Whether he likes it or not, he must go.

Sharpsharp00123:
These igbos no go rest

Kalashnikov49:
What then is Atiku asking for zombie? What documentation is so special about thiefnubuus academic records that Tinubu had to counter the appeal by Atiku?

You freaks can't survive this and it's pertinent to note that the Foolishness of Tinubu supporters from

Olanikpekun the useless SAN, to Nairaland internet mizcreants like you is glaring for all to see.

Shame on you ogbeni...spits

Mystic216:

Clear conscience fears No accusations

If his hands are clean why is he always kicking against some minor things
Vrchin

Throwback:


But na Igbo carry am for head like gala.

Igbos just can't stand the reality of their defeat by Tinubu.

Atiku on the other hand is fighting a lost battle to become Nigerian President.

Unfortunately for him, it has become a future impossible tense.

IconicR:
Suit suit everywhere Laslas everybody will be alright. Asiwaju is not the first to win presidential election neither will he be the last. Na election he win he no kill person.

Consequently, Mr Tinubu argued that the records should not be released because they fell under a 1974 privacy law for American students.

Kalashnikov49:
Is Atiku IGBO..are the supporters of Atiku only IGBO?

You are demented and crassly uneducated. You want to front your useless academic qualifications to me? Do you actually know who the f**k you are bantering with? Do I look like an Oluwole misfit and a charlatan? E be like say you don dey ment abi?

IGBOs have every right to demand that things ar done accordingly..and if it hurts you smash your head on a pavement. Your rants are despicable and saturated with stupidity..spits

Consequently, Mr Tinubu argued that the records should not be released because they fell under a 1974 privacy law for American students.