The Labor Party’s Lamidi Apapa group has admonished the party’s presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, to refrain from belittling Bola Tinubu’s academic credentials.
It should be noted that prior to the presidential elections, the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2023 presidential nominee, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that President Tinubu has presented a falsified educational certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a midweek press brief in Abuja, the LP’s representative called on Tinubu to expose his actual background since this issue is making Nigerians seem dishonest.
In response to this development, during a press brief on Friday, Abayomi Arabambi, National Publicity Secretary of the faction, urged Obi to desist from instigating a conflict with Tinubu concerning the academic credentials dispute.
Arabambi characterized Obi’s press brief about the degree issue as “needless and unsubstantiated” recommending him to let the matter be decided and settled by Nigeria’s Supreme Court.
Arabambi further suggested that it’d be bothersome for the LP candidate to take matters into his own hands considering Obi and Atiku have already lodged their appeal with the Supreme Court.
He particularly disapproved Obi’s allegations that globally, Nigerians are perceived as routine criminals due to Tinubu’s degree issuance debacle, emphasizing that he has greatly exaggerated with the groundless claim.
He iterated: “We’ve been keenly observing various responses and squabbles related to the unfounded accusations of fraud pertaining to the Chicago State University Diploma Certificate received by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
“Despite acknowledging Peter Obi’s entitlement to his views, he should allow the Nigerian Constitution to guide him because a person intending to claim justice should come to the bench with an untainted reputation.”
“The role the ex-LP’s 2023 presidential nominee played as a primary opposition party member against the Nigerian President through intimidation meant to induce shock is highly reprehensible.”
“We are of the belief that Mr. Peter Obi should have let the Supreme Court examine and rule on the validity of issues raised within the Presidential Diplomas dispute, save for indulging in this media drama and villainous behavior.”
Arabambi disclosed that he vetted Obi during the selection of the party’s presidential candidates and that the name on Peter Obi’s educational certificate obtained from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), was inconsistent with the name on his NYSC and WAEC certificates.
He also stated that: “A reevaluation of Peter Obi’s 1978 high school cert results recently shared by former aide, Mr. Oseloka Paul, reveals that the name on it is Obi Gregory Onwubuasi, not Peter Onwubuasi Obi.”
“I was in the panel responsible for his screening. Within the EC9 form we handed him, Obi claimed to have studied at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and completed his youth service, nonetheless, when the form was finally turned in, only his high school certificate was included.”
“This raises doubts and it’s evident that the name stated in his NYSC certificate deviates from the one mentioned in his school records.”
“Obi’s present course of action is uncertain, considering we are acquainted with his appeal lodged with the Supreme Court. He is now insisting that someone should come forth and provide evidence of his actual identity.”
“Even within the Labor party, we’re uncertain of Peter Obi’s true identity since all the details were confidential between him and Abure in Asaba at that time.”
“We were rushed because there was only a day left for our presidential primaries to occur, hence why he managed to get away with it. We hereby make it clear that the names on Obi’s NYSC certificate and the one on his University of Nigeria, Nsukka certificate, differ.”
Arabambi, who presented several documents provided by Obi bearing different names, blamed the LP candidate for causing turmoil in the country by allowing controversial actions and statements.
He emphatically refuted allegations of being sponsored by the presidency to oppose Obi, and advised him to act within the parameters of the law while pursuing complaints against Tinubu.
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