On Bola Tinubu's 'Missing' Primary And Secondary Schools Particulars!

 By Solomon Dalung

I just read the published particulars of presidential candidates released by INEC for the 2027 election, and one thing immediately caught my attention.

*Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reportedly left the sections for his primary and secondary school qualifications blank, while listing only his university degree.

Now, before the usual attack 'dogs' arrive, let me be clear: this is not an allegation. It is an observation based on the documents made available by INEC.

But it raises a question that deserves an answer.

Why leave those sections blank?

If there is a perfectly reasonable explanation, Nigerians deserve to hear it. Public office, especially the presidency, is built on public trust. Trust flourishes where there is openness, not ambiguity.

What makes this even more interesting is that this administration and its supporters have repeatedly insisted that public records, affidavits, declarations, and official documents matter. They have demanded explanations from political opponents over omissions, discrepancies, and technicalities. Fair enough. Accountability should indeed be taken seriously.

*Tinubu

But accountability cannot become selective.

The same standard applied to every other candidate should apply to the incumbent President. No more, no less.

This is not about whether someone attended a particular primary or secondary school. It is about the principle of full disclosure. If millions of ordinary Nigerians are expected to provide complete educational histories when applying for jobs, scholarships, security clearances, or public appointments, why should the occupant of the nation's highest office be held to a lower standard?

Again, this is not a declaration of guilt. It is a call for clarity.

The easiest way to put every question to rest is transparency. Silence rarely ends speculation; openness usually does.

Nigerians are not asking for favours. They are asking for consistency.

The presidency should never be an office where questions become insults, curiosity becomes disloyalty, or scrutiny becomes sacrilege.

Those who seek the people's mandate must also submit to the people's questions.

The burden of public office is not merely to obey the law; it is to inspire public confidence.

That is democracy.

*Solomon Dalung Esq. is a commentator on public issues.