‘My record is consistent’ — Tinubu speaks at Chatham House on his background

Bola Tinubu, standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says he was born on March 29, 1952 — “according to family records”.

 

Controversy has trailed the age and identity of the former governor of Lagos state.

 

In 2021, Wikipedia locked the page of Tinubu over what it described as “persistent vandalism” because a number of accounts edited his age multiple times.

 

At the time, 1942 was said to be Tinubu’s birth year but that now reflects as 1952.

 

Fielding questions at Chatham House in the United Kingdom on Monday, Tinubu said his transcript from Chicago State University has 1952 on it.

 

However, this is contrary to what Reno Omokri, an ex-aide of former President Goodluck Jonathan, claimed he received from the institution upon request.

I have a question for Bola Tinubu. His US visa says he was born on March 29, 1952. However, certified true copies of his transcripts from Chicago State University show his birth date as March 29, 1954. My question to Bola Tinubu is this: Were you born twice. #TableShaker pic.twitter.com/gCxXDyVIr9

— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) December 4, 2022

Speaking on his background, the former governor said “I am Tinubu and Tinubu proper”.

 

“At the time of birth, I was dated March 29, 1952, in the family record. Then, I don’t think I had decided to be President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not even that I would go into politics.

 

“I’ve had a very good record in life. My record is consistent in the university they questioned. They’ve now confessed that they wasted their money and their time. The record is there, and the transcript is there showing March 1952.

 

“I’m not claiming another father, I’m Tinubu and Tinubu proper. If they want a DNA, they could as well request for one. “One of them was even accused of not being a Nigerian citizen, I didn’t touch that area.

“Equally, it remains the same – Deloitte, Chicago State University where I graduated have attested to that. Now, I can announce that I have received my original placement degree certificate from them.

 

“Deloitte trained me as an accountant. Mobile Oil has attested to my outstanding record. I got to the pinnacle of my career in the private sector. Who among them can brag about that?

 

“Yes, you want to wrestle with the pig, you’ve got to live with the dirt. That’s what I’m doing. I got into politics knowing fully well that it is muddy water. Smog will come, and you will have to live with the dirt and make sure you are upright to finish the job.