By It appears the both the presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been enmeshed in a certificate saga.
Report has it that Kabiru Masari, the ‘placeholder’ running mate to the APC presidential flagbearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu failed to produce his original academic certificates in the documents submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This development comes amid controversy over Tinubu’s primary and secondary schools certificates. The former Lagos governor had claimed that his academic certificates were stolen by unknown persons.
Like Tinubu, in the Form EC9 submitted to INEC, Masari was said to have failed to attach any certificate to affirm his academic qualifications. He, however, attached a sworn affidavit claiming the loss of vital documents, including his school certificates.
According to the affidavit, Masari stated that he attended Masari Primary school, Katsina State between 1972 and 1978 and obtained a Grade 2 Certificate from Katsina Teachers College in 1982 and a Higher Certificate in 1995.
The APC VP candidate claimed that he lost both certificates while on transit within Wuse, Area FCT, Abuja, adding all efforts made to find his missing documents proved abortive.
The affidavit read in part, “Ibrahim Kabiru Masari, male, Muslim, Nigerian citizen of Abubakar Rimi Crescent, National Assembly Quarters, Apo, FCT– Abuja, declare an oath and state as follows:
“That I am the above-named persons and bonafide owner of the under-listed documents. That sometimes in January 2021, while on transit within Wuse Area, FCT– Abuja, I discovered that my original Certificate of Occupancy of plot NoKT 17522, GRA Katsina Estate; Certificate of Kaduna State Development Centre from 1994–95; Grade 11 Certificate from Katsina Teachers College from 1979–83 and First Leaving School Certificate issued by Masari Primary School Katsina State from 1972–78 got lost. That all efforts made to trace the documents proved abortive hence this affidavit. That this affidavit is required for record purpose and for all authorities and persons concerned to take note.”
