Ndume Tells Opposition to Focus on Tinubu's Record, Not Credentials

Senator Ali Ndume, a senior member of the All Progressives Congress and former Senate Leader, has called on opposition parties to shift their focus away from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's educational background and instead examine his performance in office as campaigns for the 2027 presidential election intensify. Ndume made the statement on Monday through a press release distributed in Abuja.

The senator's remarks address mounting scrutiny over Tinubu's academic credentials, an issue that gained fresh attention following the Independent National Electoral Commission's release of educational qualifications for 19 presidential candidates and their running mates. Ndume contended that dwelling on this matter diverts attention from substantive discussions about governance and policy direction.

In his statement, Ndume argued that Tinubu satisfies the constitutional educational requirements for holding the presidency. He urged opposition candidates to present their own economic and policy proposals rather than engage in what he characterized as character-focused attacks on the incumbent president.

According to Ndume, election campaigns should centre on what different candidates plan to deliver for Nigerians. The senator's intervention reflects broader tensions within Nigeria's political landscape as multiple parties prepare for the 2027 race.

Opposition figures have raised questions about the president's educational records, while the APC and its allies maintain that such matters are secondary to assessing Tinubu's government's track record and policy positions since he took office in May 2023.