Aisha Yesufu certificate dispute comments highlight her view that Nigeria’s constitution drives ongoing debates over candidates’ credentials
Aisha Yesufu, human rights activist and co-convener of the BringBackOurGirls Movement, has identified Nigeria’s constitution as the major challenge behind recurring disputes over the certificates and academic records of political candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
Also read: ADC Chieftain Alleges Tinubu Certificate Forgery Claims Ahead of 2027
Yesufu made the comment on Tuesday in a post on her verified X account while reacting to the recent publication of presidential candidates’ credentials and personal details by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The debate over candidates’ academic records gained renewed attention after INEC released details submitted by presidential hopefuls, including information on their educational backgrounds.
Commenting on the wider issue, Yesufu argued that the constitutional framework governing electoral qualifications remains the root cause of repeated controversies surrounding candidates’ certificates.
“On the issue of certificate, our constitution is the problem,” Yesufu said.
“That till this moment there is no constitutional change, that is where the real problem lies.”
Her remarks come amid renewed public discussions over the educational credentials of political figures, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose submitted INEC documents have attracted scrutiny from opposition figures and commentators.
The activist did not single out any individual candidate in her statement but focused on what she described as a structural challenge within Nigeria’s legal framework.
Certificate controversies have featured regularly in Nigerian elections, with debates often centred on the interpretation of constitutional requirements for candidates seeking public office.
Also read: ADC Chieftain Alleges Tinubu Certificate Forgery Claims Ahead of 2027
As political activities increase ahead of the 2027 general elections, questions around transparency, eligibility and disclosure of personal records are expected to remain key issues in public discourse.
