The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has clarified that he used the name “Sadiq Abubakar” for his West African Examination Council (WAEC) exam, as controversy trails the name discrepancy on the certificate.
His statement came as clarification following what appears like a retaliatory move by the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC), alleging that Atiku forged his senior school certificate.
Dele Momodu, the Director of Strategic Communications for the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, clarified on Tuesday that some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had raised concerns about the name “Sadiq Abubakar” on Atiku’s WAEC certificate in contrast to his other credentials.
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He stated that he forwarded the accusations to the former Vice President, who provided an explanation for the discrepancy. Atiku explained that he used “Sadiq Abubakar” for his WAEC exam, and after passing, he legally changed his name to Atiku Abubakar.
He said: “The APC busybodies have been bombarding me with allegations of forgery against my Principal, ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR (GCON), which I immediately forwarded to him and here is his copious response:
“’ Yes I used Sadiq Abubakar to sit for my WAEC and after passing my exams I went to swear an affidavit to say I am the same person as ATIKU Abubakar. I went to ABU as Atiku Abubakar and passed my Exams as Atiku Abubakar. Interviewed as Atiku Abubakar by the Federal Civil Service Commission and hired into the Customs Service as Atiku Abubakar. So where is forgery there?’
“CAN THE APC social media bullies forward the deluge of questions in circulation to their boss and get instant and direct response…”
“I SALUTE ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR…” the statement added.
In August, Atiku filed a lawsuit in the USA seeking an order to compel Chicago State University (CSU) to release the academic record of President Bola Tinubu, whose educational background is deeply buried in controversy.
The US court ruled in favor of the applicant despite objections by Tinubu, who claimed that the release of the document would cause him irreparable loss.
The documents released by CSU show that the certificate Tinubu presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission was forged.
With the saga hitting the roof, the APC is believed to be desperately looking for dirt on Atiku. The former Vice President, who is contesting the outcome of the presidential election at the Supreme Court, has included the forged certificate as part of the evidence that he is seeking Tinubu’s disqualification.