The Center for Reform and Public Advocacy (CFRPA) has renewed scrutiny regarding the authenticity of the Chicago State University credentials used by President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 election cycle. This civil society organization has formally requested that Professor Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), clarify the status of these academic documents.
In a letter dated June 19, 2026, and signed by legal representative Kalu Agu, the group argues that such transparency is vital for the integrity of the 2027 presidential polls. The CFRPA contends that President Tinubu’s records contain discrepancies, specifically noting that he claimed to have attended Government College Lagos in 1960 and graduated in 1970, despite the institution not being founded until 1974.
The group asserts that these potential forgeries directly implicate Section 137(1)(j) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates the disqualification of candidates presenting fraudulent documents. By referencing academic records released through a United States court order during a discovery case initiated by Atiku Abubakar, the organization alleges that the President utilized falsified primary, secondary, and NYSC discharge certificates.
CFRPA has urged Chairman Amupitan to leverage his legal expertise to address these eligibility concerns before the next election. The group warned that if INEC fails to provide a public clarification, they are prepared to pursue litigation to block the commission from accepting Tinubu’s candidacy for the 2027 presidential race.
