By Uche Amunike
The United States chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has, Sunday, sounded a note of warning to the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), from going ahead with its planned press conference that borders on the Chicago State University academic certificate of President Bola Tinubu, stating that the school had already given confirmation of its authenticity.
This warning was given two days after the Publicity Secretary of NADECO USA, David Adenekan announced the World Press Conference to be held inside the Chicago City Hall, Monday.
Adenekan stated that the reason for the conference was to give journalists and the international community an opportunity to ask questions that would properly investigate and throw more light on the alleged CSU certificates foregery of President Bola Tinubu.
In reaction, the Chairman of APC USA, Professor Tai Balofin in a statement, condemned the move, describing it as a smokescreen to embarrass the president.
He argued that President Tinubu’s alma mater had already settled the matter, therefore, it was wrong of NADECO, USA, which he referred to as a phony group to be seen deliberating on a matter that was already in court.
His words: ‘The allegation surrounding President Tinubu’s educational certificate from Chicago State University has been addressed, with CSU confirming the certificate’s authenticity. It is crucial to note that this matter is already in the hands of the appropriate authorities, specifically the courts, where due process and legal procedures will be followed.’
‘We therefore urge the supporters of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and those of Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, to wait for the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling.’
He also stated: ‘Furthermore, we would like to clarify that the group organizing this World Press Conference under the banner of NADECO USA is not the original NADECO that President Tinubu was a part of during the Abacha era. We urge the public not to be misled by these attempts to distort history. Premature and unfounded allegations not only do a disservice to the public but also risk diverting attention from pressing issues that truly deserve scrutiny.’
The leadership of the USA chapter of the ruling APC strongly condemned any attempts to undermine the reputation of President Bola Tinubu, as well as Nigeria, by extension. They also claimed that they had a strong belief in the strength of the democratic processes as well as the judicial system to address any legitimate concerns on the matter.
NADECO was formed on 15th May 1994 by a broad coalition of Nigerian democrats, who demanded that the military government of Sani Abacha should step down in favor of the winner of the controversial June 12 election in 1993, MKO Abiola.
Most of their members were drawn from several pro-democracy and activist groups that were located in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. They were to become the symbol of mass resistance against military rule.
It was the groundwork laid by NADECO that MKO Abiola used in declaring himself President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 11 June 1994 before going into hiding. When he reemerged, he was promptly arrested on June 23rd.
