Former Minister of Sports Solomon Dalung has urged President Bola Tinubu to explain why the sections for his primary and secondary school qualifications were left blank in the personal information he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 presidential election.
Dalung made the demand in a post on his X account on Saturday, in response to the nomination paperwork provided by INEC.
According to him, his remarks were based on papers released by the election commission and should not be construed as an accusation against the President.
“I just read the published particulars of presidential candidates released by INEC for the 2027 election, and one thing immediately caught my attention,” Dalung stated.
He pointed out that Tinubu only stated his university degree, leaving the areas for his primary and secondary school degrees blank.
The former minister stated that the omission raises issues that require clarification, emphasising the importance of openness and transparency in building public trust.
“If there is a completely acceptable answer, Nigerians should hear it. Public office, particularly the presidency, is based on public trust. “Trust grows where there is openness, not ambiguity,” he said.
Dalung suggested that the incumbent president should face the same level of accountability as other political actors.
He emphasised that the issue was not whether Tinubu attended a certain primary or secondary school, but whether public officials should make full disclosures in official records.
Dalung went on to say that transparency is still the most effective method to address public issues, and that quiet frequently encourages suspicion.
“The incumbent President should be held to the same standards as the other candidates. No more or less.
“Transparency is the simplest method to answer all questions. “Silence rarely ends speculation; openness usually does,” he said.
Dalung’s statements came after INEC published the personal information of presidential contenders on Saturday.
A review of Tinubu’s EC9 nomination form revealed that the President only listed a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration earned from Chicago State University in 1979 under the educational qualifications section, leaving the spaces for his primary and secondary school qualifications blank.
As part of the supporting documents presented to INEC, the President attached copies of his university degree certificate and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.