APC chieftain Ndume urges opposition to drop Tinubu certificate debate ahead of 2027 poll
Former Senate Leader and APC chieftain Senator Ali Ndume said opposition parties should stop focusing on President Bola Tinubu's academic qualifications ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election. Ndume made the remark in a press statement on Monday, August 23, 2026, after opposition figures raised concerns following INEC's publication of the academic details of 19 presidential candidates and their running mates. He argued that Tinubu has satisfied the constitutional eligibility requirement, citing Section 131(d) of the 1999 Constitution which only mandates education up to school certificate level or its equivalent, not the specific submission of a secondary school certificate. Ndume noted that the eligibility issue had already been settled by litigation arising from the 2023 presidential election and described the ongoing narrative as a distraction. He urged opponents to concentrate on Tinubu's policies and performance as a sitting president rather than his credentials. The statement comes as political parties intensify campaigns for the 2027 election, with academic qualifications becoming a recurring talking point in opposition rhetoric. Voters should note that the legal debate over Tinubu's eligibility appears resolved; attention may be better directed toward comparing candidates' platforms, track records, and policy proposals for the upcoming election.