Reno Omokri Counters Peter Obi's Allegations on Tinubu's Academic Records
Political commentator and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has issued a strong rebuttal against former Anambra State governor and presidential aspirant, Peter Obi, regarding claims that President Bola Tinubu forged his academic certificate. The controversy erupted after Obi made these allegations during the launch of his African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary campaign in Uyo on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
Omokri Presents Verified Evidence from Chicago State University
In a detailed response, Omokri dismissed Obi's assertions as entirely false, emphasizing that he personally verified President Tinubu's credentials at Chicago State University on September 19, 2022. He produced documentary and photographic evidence confirming that Tinubu not only attended the university but graduated with honors. Omokri noted that this verification has been corroborated by multiple local and international media outlets, including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), lending further credibility to his findings.
"Peter Obi lied: Trump did not call Nigeria disgraced because of President Tinubu's certificate scandal, because there is NO certificate scandal!" Omokri stated emphatically in a social media post. He clarified that former US President Donald Trump's alleged remark about Nigeria being a "disgraced country" was unrelated to Tinubu's academic records, instead attributing it to efforts by a US-based Biafra lobby aiming to tarnish Nigeria's international reputation.
Five Alleged Falsehoods Attributed to Peter Obi
Omokri further criticized Obi for what he described as a consistent pattern of misleading statements, particularly as the 2027 presidential election approaches. He highlighted five specific areas where he claims Obi has disseminated inaccurate information:
- Poverty Reduction Claims in Anambra State: Omokri challenged Obi's assertions about significant poverty reduction during his tenure as governor, suggesting the data does not support these claims.
- Educational Background: He questioned aspects of Obi's own educational narrative, implying inconsistencies in his academic history.
- Investment Returns in SABMiller: Omokri disputed Obi's reported statements about investment returns from the beverage company, labeling them as exaggerated.
- Alleged Interactions with US Presidents: He dismissed claims that Obi had substantive interactions with multiple US presidents as unfounded.
- Tinubu's Certificate Forgery Allegation: Omokri reiterated that this central claim lacks any factual basis, given his verified evidence from Chicago State University.
"So, with such a record, it is not surprising that Peter Obi, as the 2027 election approaches, is returning to his normal mode of lying. I urge members of the public to disregard Peter Obi's latest lie about the President and to expect even more lies from him," Omokri concluded in his statement.
Political Implications for the 2027 Presidential Election
This exchange occurs against the backdrop of heightened political activity as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 presidential elections. Peter Obi has previously declared his intention to contest, vowing that no attempts to block his ambition will prevent him from appearing on the ballot. He made this declaration at the OBIDIENT Conference and the official launch of the ADC in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Political analysts suggest that this controversy over academic credentials and alleged falsehoods is likely to dominate public discourse in the coming months. Supporters of both Tinubu and Obi are expected to vigorously defend their respective narratives, potentially shaping voter perceptions as election campaigns intensify. The debate underscores the increasingly contentious nature of Nigeria's political landscape, where personal credibility and factual accuracy are becoming central points of contention.
