If INEC has functional server, they'll find Tinubu's certificates – Uzodinma

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has chided Nigerians for raising what he termed unnecessary controversy over the basic school certificates of the presidential flagbearer of the All Progressive Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In his reaction to the controversy, he said if INEC boasts of a functional server, that information should be domiciled in the server which could be reproduced for all to verify.

Buttressing his claims, he said for a person who served as governor of Lagos State for two terms and ran as a Senator and won, issues surrounding his primary or secondary school certificates should not even arise.

The Imo State Governor, however, said given the timeline available for their candidate, INEC would be furnished with the necessary documents before the time elapses.

Uzodinma gave his views after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa Abuja on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, shortly before the President departed for Portugal for a state visit.

Recall that the APC Presidential flagbearer, Bola Tinubu has been facing backlash from the public over his failure to submit details of his basic school education.

Recall that while the controversies continue, Tinubu is faced with the dilemma of producing a substantive running mate, rather than a placeholder.

But reacting to the development, Uzodimna said, “Well, all the things so mentioned are entire party challenges that will be resolved. But for my presidential candidate, the issue of certificates shouldn’t even arise.

“In 1999 he contested elections and became the governor of Lagos, in 2003 he contested election second-term governor of Lagos. He ran and won as a senator in the country, where record keeping is efficient, and the INEC server is functional, he doesn’t need to do a fresh submission. However, if whatever he is supposed to submit is not handy, it is not late yet. I’m sure before the time he will submit whatever is required of him”.

Asked by State House Correspondents while it is proving difficult for Tinubu to produce a running mate, even with INEC’s deadline running out, he responded saying, “What do you mean by difficulty? Who told you? The deadline is not yet here until the period of submission is over and we are not able to put a running mate, that is the only way you can ask this kind of question.

“However, I know because of the strength of character in our party, being the ruling party and how important the party is to us including you here, I appreciate your concern but be rest assured that we will fill a complete ticket for the presidential contest”.

Meanwhile, Governor Uzodinma also said that the security situation in his state has not degenerated to that level of allowing citizens with latitude to arm themselves in a bid to stem the menace.

Uzodinma announced that President Buhari has approved the hosting of Army Day in Imo, saying that the measure would further improve the security in the state.

He thanked the President for his approval for the event which is expected to take place during President Buhari’s visit to commission a number of sundry projects in the state.