Tinubu’s ‘13-Year-Old Classmate’ Claim Sparks Outrage as Atiku Dares President to Explain Zingman Connection
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to provide clear answers regarding his association with controversial Belarusian businessman Alex Zingman, following the President’s claim that Zingman was his classmate at Chicago State University (CSU).
The revelation, made by Tinubu during the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Mechanisation Programme in Abuja, has reignited longstanding questions about the President’s academic history and affiliations.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Atiku Media Office described Tinubu’s claim as baffling and riddled with inconsistencies, demanding full transparency.
“Are we now to believe that the Guinness Book of Records missed the incredible story of a 13-year-old Belarusian prodigy graduating from an American university alongside Bola Ahmed Tinubu?” the statement quipped, pointing out that public records indicate Zingman was born in 1966, making him only 13 years old in 1979, the year Tinubu claims to have graduated from CSU.
Beyond the Zingman controversy, Atiku’s camp raised broader concerns over President Tinubu’s academic credentials, citing persistent discrepancies.
“How did a school founded in 1972 issue a certificate dated 1970, as claimed by the President? Where are the verifiable classmates from his time at Government College, Lagos, and Chicago State University? Nigerians deserve clarity, not confusion,” the statement asserted.
International reports have previously linked Alex Zingman to high-profile business dealings, some attracting scrutiny in diplomatic circles. His connection to President Tinubu has now fueled further calls for openness about their relationship and its potential implications for Nigeria.
“Mr. President, your oath of office binds you not just to protect our nation, but to honour its truth. The Presidency is not a sanctuary for secrets; it is a platform for integrity,” the Atiku Media Office concluded.
The development has sparked fresh debate over President Tinubu’s credentials, an issue that has lingered since the 2023 election campaign.
