Atiku's campaign calls out Shettima over Tinubu's school records

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s campaign is asking Vice President Kashim Shettima to clear up questions about President Bola Tinubu’s school records. This comes after Tinubu took a jab at Atiku’s education.

This back-and-forth started after Shettima spoke at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja on Monday. He criticized Atiku’s plan to subsidise petrol refined in Nigeria and questioned whether Atiku could handle Nigeria’s economy.

Shettima pointed out Atiku’s training at the Kano School of Hygiene. He said Atiku does not have the skills needed to manage a modern economy. He also doubted Atiku’s grasp of public health, saying that Atiku might struggle to tell the difference between influenza and Ebola.

In a statement released the same day, Phrank Shaibu, the Director of Strategic Communication for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, accused Shettima of making fun of Atiku’s education. He asked, “What, exactly, is shameful about Atiku’s education? He completed secondary school, pursued further training and built a life through work.”

Shaibu questioned why a document linked to Tinubu’s Chicago State University records listed Government College Lagos as having been established in 1970 when it reportedly began in 1974. He said, “If Shettima wants to examine school records, he should begin with the man he serves.”

The campaign also highlighted the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle” on an NYSC certificate included in the President’s election documents, along with past legal issues about his academic background.

The mention of Government College Lagos has sparked public debates before. However, this disputed point does not prove that Tinubu faked his credentials.

The campaign also pushed back against Shettima’s comments on Atiku’s plan for a targeted subsidy on petrol refined in Nigeria. Atiku suggested a capped subsidy that would be audited by an independent body. His campaign claims this would be different from the previous petrol subsidy system.

Shaibu said, “If Shettima thinks it cannot be funded, he should show his figures and offer a better way to lower prices.” He accused the Tinubu administration of not doing enough to reduce the cost of food, transport and fuel.