A former National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Babatunde Ogala, has insisted that President Bola Tinubu is constitutionally qualified to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Ogala made the statement on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, while reacting to ongoing controversies over Tinubu’s academic credentials and eligibility for the presidency.
He argued that Tinubu’s qualification is based on his Nigerian citizenship, age, and the minimum educational requirement stipulated by the Constitution.
According to Ogala, questions about Tinubu’s family background and personal history are irrelevant to the constitutional requirements for contesting the presidency.
“Is he a Nigerian? The answer is yes, unless otherwise proven or determined through a judicial process. Is Tinubu qualified to run for the presidency age-wise? The answer is yes, by constitutional provisions,” he said.
The former APC legal officer also addressed concerns over Tinubu’s failure to submit his primary and secondary school certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a matter that has generated public debate.
He maintained that the Constitution only requires a presidential candidate to have been educated up to the School Certificate level, which he said has been interpreted to include basic education and the ability to read and write.
Ogala further argued that Tinubu’s claim of holding a university degree should be considered sufficient unless challenged through appropriate legal channels.
He compared the situation to his own legal career, stating that his status as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria does not require him to provide details of every school he attended to prove his professional qualification.
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.