The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), a pro-democracy group, has called on President Bola Tinubu to resign over allegations of certificate forgery at Chicago State University, amongst others.
Mr Lloyd Ukwu, the Executive Director of NADECO USA, made the call in a press statement issued on Thursday.
According to him, the responsibility that is commensurate with the office of the President of Nigeria requires utmost integrity and adherence to the rule of law.
“The allegations of forgery, if proven true, not only cast a shadow over the presidency but also undermines the credibility of Nigeria on the international stage.
“You would all recall that the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) was the first to call for the resignation of Bola Ahmed Tinubu due to his Chicago State University certificate forgery. And today, we are reiterating this call.
“NADECO being a prominent voice for democracy, transparency, and accountability in Nigeria, is deeply concerned about recent allegations regarding the authenticity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s academic credentials. In light of the evidence pointing towards forgery of a certificate from Chicago State University, NADECO calls upon President Tinubu to resign from his position as the President of the most populous black country in the world.
“Forgery is a serious offense both in the United States and Nigeria, carrying severe legal consequences. According to U.S. law, the penalty for forgery can include imprisonment and fines. In Nigeria, forgery is a criminal offense under various sections of the Criminal Code and Penal Code, with potential penalties ranging from imprisonment to fines, depending on the circumstances.
“NADECO believes that holding a position of such immense responsibility as the President of Nigeria requires the utmost integrity and adherence to the rule of law. The allegations of forgery, if proven true, not only cast a shadow over the presidency but also undermine the credibility of Nigeria on the international stage. Such actions risk bringing international embarrassment to our great nation,” he said.
Ukwu added, “Furthermore, NADECO emphasizes that leaders must set an example for the citizens they represent. Upholding the highest ethical standards is not only a legal requirement but a moral imperative for anyone holding public office.
”We urge President Tinubu to step down voluntarily in the interest of preserving the integrity of the presidency and the nation.”
He explained that Nigeria was currently grappling with myriads of challenges, stressing that with the allegations of forgery, the Tinubu was already distracted and was rather leading the country to “international embarrassment”.
“In these challenging times, Nigeria needs a leader who can focus on the pressing issues facing our country, such as security, economic stability, and social development, without the distraction of forgery allegations. A voluntary resignation would demonstrate a commitment to the principles of accountability and transparency that NADECO has long advocated for.
“NADECO calls upon all relevant authorities, both in Nigeria and the United States, to thoroughly investigate these allegations to ensure justice is served. We also urge President Tinubu to reflect upon the gravity of the situation, consider the best interests of Nigeria and its people and resign.”
