Atiku Abubakar Questions President Tinubu's Claim of Being Classmates with Alex Zingman

Strategic Insights -

In a statement made by his media office in Abuja on Tuesday, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar questioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's claim of being classmates at Chicago State University (CSU) with Alex Zingman, a Belarusian businessman. According to Abubakar, the claim has triggered more questions than answers regarding the President's academic record. The statement raised several posers, including whether the President's claim is accurate, and whether Mr. Zingman, who was born in 1966, could have graduated from CSU in 1979 as claimed by Tinubu. Abubakar also raised questions about the President's association with Zingman, who has an international reputation mired in scandal.

Key Takeaways:

  • Atiku Abubakar's media office questioned President Tinubu's claim of being classmates with Alex Zingman at Chicago State University (CSU), citing inconsistencies in Zingman's age and educational record.
  • Mr. Zingman was born in 1966, which makes it improbable for him to have graduated from CSU in 1979 as claimed by Tinubu. This would mean that Zingman would have been only 13 years old at the time of his supposed graduation.
  • The statement raised questions about the President's association with Zingman, a businessman with alleged involvement in arms trafficking and financial improprieties in Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • Abubakar's statement called for proof and clarity from the President regarding his academic record, including the authenticity of his claim to have attended Government College, Lagos, and Richard Daley College.
  • The statement emphasized the importance of integrity in public office, with the President bound by his oath of office to protect and honor the truth.

Statistics:

  • 1966: The birth year of Mr. Alex Zingman, according to publicly available information.
  • 1979: The year in which President Tinubu claims to have graduated from CSU.
  • 13 years old: The age that Mr. Zingman would have been in 1979.
  • 1972: The founding year of Government College, Lagos.
  • 1973: The year in which President Tinubu claims to have entered Richard Daley College.
  • 1970: The year in which President Tinubu claimed to have received a certificate from Government College, Lagos.

Sources:

  • Atiku Abubakar Media Office, "Curious Classmate: Nigerians Deserve Answers, Not More Confusion" (no date specified).