Popular broadcaster and anchor of Arise Television’s Morning Show, Rufai Oseni, has criticised presidential aspirants whose personal records do not contain details of their early education, urging Nigerians to scrutinise candidates seeking the nation’s highest office.
Oseni made the comment on Sunday in a Facebook post while reacting to the personal particulars and credentials of presidential candidates recently published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
“People that can’t tell you their primary school want to be your president and Nigerians will vote them,” Oseni wrote.
His remark followed INEC’s release of candidates’ nomination documents, including academic qualifications and other statutory information submitted by those contesting the presidency.
The documents have generated public debate, with some Nigerians examining the educational backgrounds provided by the various candidates.
According to the published documents, President Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, listed his Bachelor of Science degree from Chicago State University as his educational qualification, while the sections for primary and secondary school attendance years were recorded as “0000.”
However, the nomination documents submitted by candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, included educational histories that started from their primary school education.
INEC explained that the publication of the documents signals the beginning of the statutory period for public scrutiny of candidates’ nomination papers.
The commission added that members of the public who discover false information in a candidate’s affidavit have the right to challenge such claims in court in accordance with the Electoral Act.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.