Tinubu Dragged Before EU Commission Over Alleged Certificate Forgery

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been dragged before the European Union Commission in Brussels over fresh allegations concerning his academic credentials and alleged violation of Nigeria’s constitutional order.

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and lawyer, Kalu Kalu, submitted a petition against the president on Friday.

He accused the President of presenting allegedly forged academic certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general election.

Kalu also alleged that Tinubu failed to provide details of his primary and secondary education in the documents submitted to INEC.

He argued that the omission raises questions under Section 137 of the 1999 Constitution.

The lawyer said the matter goes beyond an argument over academic records, insisting that the alleged conduct has implications for the constitutional requirements governing eligibility for the presidency.

According to Kalu, “President Bola Tinubu has suspended the constitutional order in Nigeria because of his forged academic credentials submitted to INEC for the 2027 general elections. Section 137 clearly says that if you present a false certificate to INEC, you are not qualified to run.”

He further accused the president of undermining the constitutional framework through what he described as the submission of false credentials.

Kalu claimed that the alleged conduct amounted to an attempt to circumvent constitutional requirements and retain political power despite the provisions of the law.

The petition was submitted in Brussels as the controversy surrounding Tinubu’s educational records continues to resurface ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The latest move also comes weeks after another petition was sent to INEC over the same broad issue.

On June 19, 2026, the Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy asked INEC to reopen investigations into Tinubu’s academic and NYSC records.

The organisation requested clarification from the electoral commission over the authenticity of documents it said were submitted by Tinubu during the 2023 election process.

That petition was signed by lawyers led by Kalu Kalu Agu, the organisation’s Head of Legal Unit.

It focused on questions arising from academic records released by Chicago State University after a United States court ordered the institution to provide documents connected to a case brought by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

However, the latest petition to the European Union is not the first time the Tinubu certificate controversy has been taken to international organisations.

On October 4, 2023, former All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Publicity Secretary Timi Frank called on the European Union, United States, United Kingdom and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to pressure Tinubu to leave office over allegations surrounding his academic certificate.

Frank made the call shortly after documents from Chicago State University became central to Atiku Abubakar’s legal challenge against Tinubu.

He argued that the controversy had become a constitutional matter and should attract the attention of international bodies concerned with democracy and governance.

Frank said Tinubu was not constitutionally qualified to remain in office if it was established that he submitted a forged certificate to INEC.

He cited Section 137(1)(j) of the Constitution and said the provision was clear on the effect of presenting a forged certificate to the electoral commission.

In his statement, Frank said, “He is duty bound to vacate office as provided for in section 137(1)(j) of the constitution which stipulates that no one would be legitimately elected as President of Nigeria if the person has ‘presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission.’ A constitutional matter with very grave implications.”

Frank also called on ECOWAS to reconsider Tinubu’s position as chairman of the regional bloc, arguing that the allegation could affect his credibility in representing the organisation.

The statement came at a time when the EU was already at the centre of another controversy connected to the 2023 presidential election.

In July 2023, the EU Election Observation Mission released its report on the general elections. The report raised concerns about the conduct of the polls and made recommendations on Nigeria’s electoral process.

Following the release of the report, some supporters of Tinubu staged a protest at the EU office in Abuja.

The protest attracted criticism from members of the opposition camp, who accused the protesters of attempting to intimidate or discredit the EU mission because of its findings.

Atiku’s aide, Phrank Shaibu, warned against any attempt to disrupt the proceedings of the presidential election tribunal. He linked the development to earlier controversies involving Tinubu.

Shaibu said, “We seize this opportunity to send a warning to the Tinubu government and its minions against disrupting the proceedings of the election tribunal as they have shown a clear disdain for the truth by picketing the EU office.”