The All Progressives Congress (APC) has responded to the recent press conference held by former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, with a resounding dismissal of his claims. The APC characterized Atiku’s statements as desperate and unfounded attempts to tarnish the reputation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
During Atiku’s press conference, he raised several issues related to his appeal at the Supreme Court and made unproven allegations against President Tinubu. The APC accused Atiku of trying to create public sentiment and pressure the Supreme Court by discussing a matter that is currently under the court’s jurisdiction.
The central theme of Atiku’s address appeared to be his long-standing animosity towards Tinubu, whom he believes played a role in his electoral defeats in 2007, 2015, 2019, and this year’s presidential election.
The APC criticized Atiku for what they deemed as a disregard for the dignity and respectability of the highest court, stating that he should have refrained from making public comments about a case that is pending before the Supreme Court.
In addition to his comments about the legal case, Atiku’s press conference also delved into his recent trip to the United States in search of support for his presidential aspirations. The APC labeled this effort as the last resort of a presidential candidate who has faced repeated electoral failures.
The APC pointed out that Caleb Westberg, the Registrar of Chicago State University, had recently testified under oath regarding President Tinubu’s academic record. Westberg affirmed that President Tinubu graduated with honors from the university and provided clarity on various issues related to Tinubu’s education.
Specifically, Westberg clarified that the diploma certificate in question was ceremonial and that the transcript was the document that proved a student’s attendance and graduation from the university. He also addressed discrepancies in the dates on the diploma and certified copy, attributing them to human error.
The APC emphasized that there was no indication in Westberg’s deposition that President Tinubu’s certificate presented to INEC was fake or forged. They considered any allegations in this regard to be unfounded.
In conclusion, the APC urged Atiku to accept his electoral defeat gracefully and avoid pursuing his political goals through means that could undermine the country’s legal institutions. They reaffirmed their support for President Tinubu and his commitment to revitalizing the economy, improving security, creating jobs, and enhancing living conditions for Nigerians.
Note: This newspaper report is a summary of the key points from the provided press release. It is important to adhere to ethical journalistic practices, fact-checking, and providing a balanced perspective when reporting on political matters.
