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2015-Buhari Failed WASC, should be investigated for perjury and forgery; He’s not a serious candidate’-Oluwatoyin Adepoju

2015-Buhari Failed WASC, should be investigated for perjury and forgery; He’s not a serious candidate’-Oluwatoyin Adepoju New York[RR]Abuja–All Progressive Congress,APC,and its presidential candidate, ex-dictator Mohammadu Buhari are in total disarray, they face one controversy after another, Republic Reporters investigations show. Mr. Buhari in 2011 presidential polls said he had Diploma, in 2015 he posted WASC, […]

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2015-Buhari Failed WASC, should be investigated for perjury and forgery; He’s not a serious candidate’-Oluwatoyin Adepoju

New York[RR]Abuja–All Progressive Congress,APC,and its presidential candidate, ex-dictator Mohammadu Buhari are in total disarray, they face one controversy after another, Republic Reporters investigations show. Mr. Buhari in 2011 presidential polls said he had Diploma, in 2015 he posted WASC, when critics pressured and APC, to produce his certificate he said that Army Board has them. But in bombshell/breaking news by Republic Reporters, the military said that Buhari dropped out in 1961 and was recommended by his principal in letter to enlist him in the military.

In a Media briefing by Brigadier General Olajide Laleye Director Army Public Relations on Tuesday 20, January, 2015 said that,he was pleased to put this certificate controversy to rest.

His words: “Gentlemen of the Press, I am pleased to welcome everyone back from the Christmas and the 2015 New Year festivities. On behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, I wish you all a happy and more fulfilling 2015. Since our last media briefing on 31 December, 2014, some issues relating to the Nigerian Army have occurred and this briefing is holding specifically to address them.

I will begin with the Major General Muhammadu Buhari certificate controversy. Gentlemen, let me state clearly that the Nigerian Army holds the retired senior officer in very high esteem and respect and would not be a party to any controversy surrounding his eligibility for any political office. Suffice to state that Major General Buhari rose steadily to the enviable rank of Major General before becoming the Head of State of our dear country in December 1983. The media hype on retired Major General Muhammadu Buhari’s credentials as well as the numerous requests made by individuals and corporate bodies to the Nigerian Army on this issue have necessitated that we provide the facts as contained in the retired senior officer’s service record. Records available indicate that Major General M Buhari applied to join the military as a Form Six student of the Provincial Secondary School, Katsina on 18 Oct 61. His application was duly endorsed by the Principal of the school, who also wrote a report on him and recommended him to be suitable for military commission. It is a practice in the NA that before candidates are shortlisted for commissioning into the officers’ cadre of the Service, the Selection Board verifies the original copies of credentials that are presented. However, there is no available record to show that this process was followed in the 1960s. Nevertheless, the entry made on the NA Form 199A at the point of documentation after commission as an officer indicated that the former Head of State obtained the West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1961 with credits in relevant subjects: English Language, Geography, History, Health Science, Hausa and a pass in English Literature. Neither the original copy, Certified True Copy (CTC) nor statement of result of Major General M Buhari’s WASC result is in his personal file.

“I hope this explanation will put to rest the raging controversy surrounding the secondary school credentials of Major General Mohammed Buhari as it affects the Nigerian Army.

APC-Buhari reacted by denying it didn’t know or rather they thought Army had the certificate, later APC agents Fashakin told reporters that Buhari’s certificates were carted away in palace coup staged by ex-dictator Ibrahim Babangida. IBB hurriedly, posted a disclaimer.

On January, 21, 2015 Buhari and APC called for press briefing because of embarrassing Army denial being position of Buhari’s papers, copies and all. In the press statement Buhari said those who sat with him during alleged WAESC examination were dead– sat the University of Cambridge/WASCE in 1961, the year we graduated, alongside (now the late) Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters under Gen Olusegun Obasanjo as Head of State) and Justice Umaru Abdullahi, a former President of Court of Appeal.
His words: “I attended Provincial Secondary School, Katsina, now Government College, Katsina, and sat the University of Cambridge/WASCE in 1961, the year we graduated, alongside (now the late) Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters under Gen Olusegun Obasanjo as Head of State) and Justice Umaru Abdullahi, a former President of Court of Appeal. My examination number is 8280002.”

Other sources think otherwise.
Buhari had in an affidavit he deposed to at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on November 24, 2014 and submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission on December 18, 2014, said that his certificates were with the military.

“I am the above-named person and deponent to this affidavit therein. All my academic qualifications, documents as filled in my presidential form, President APC/001/2015, are currently with the Secretary, Military Board as of the time of presenting this affidavit. The affidavit is made in good faith and for record purposes,” he had written.

When the controversy over Buhari’s qualification gathered momentum, Laleye told The PUNCH during an exclusive interview which was published on January 4, 2015, that the military authorities were ready to release credentials and certificates in its custody to serving and retired officers in need of them.

He said that the procedure for the retrieval or collection of the certificates was known to all serving or retired officers of the military.

On Tuesday, Laleye said that military records showed that Buhari applied to join the Army on October 18, 1961. .

The Army spokesman explained that it was the tradition of the Army to ensure that a selection board was set up to verify the original credentials of candidates shortlisted for commissioning.

Laleye said that records did not show that the process was followed .

However, he said that the entry made for documentation by Buhari on Form 199A indicated that he had credit in English Language, Geography, History, Health Science, Hausa and a Pass in English Literature.

He said, “The media hype on Maj. Gen. Buhari’s credentials as well as the numerous requests made by individuals and corporate bodies to the Army on this issue have necessitated that we provide the facts as contained in the retired senior officer’s service record.

“Records available indicate that Maj. Gen. Buhari applied to join the military as a form six student of the Provincial Secondary School, Katsina on 18 October 1961.

“His application was duly endorsed by the principal of the school, who also wrote a report on him and recommended him suitable for military commission.

“It is a practice in the Army that before candidates are shortlisted for commissioning into the officers’ cadre of the service; the selection board verifies the original copies of credentials that are presented. However, there is no available record to show that this process was followed in the 1960s.

“Nevertheless, the entry made on Form 199A at the point of documentation after commission as an officer indicated that the former Head of State obtained the WASC in 1961 with credits in relevant subjects.

“Neither the original certified true copy nor the statement of result of Maj. Gen. Buhari’s WASC result is in his personal file.

“I hope this explanation will put to rest, the raging controversy surrounding the secondary school credentials of Maj. Gen. Buhari as it affects the Nigerian Army.”

Although the Army authorities did not allow journalists to have copies of the documents filed by the former Head of State for his commissioning as an officer, they created an opportunity for the documents to be sighted

The Principal of the school, in recommending Buhari for commissioning as an officer, said “I recommend him for military commissioning; I consider that Mohammadu Buhari will pass the West Africa School Certificate in English, Maths and three other subjects.

Laleye said that the Army holds Buhari, who rose to the enviable rank of Maj. Gen, and was Head of State of the country, in high esteem and would not be party to the controversy over “his eligibility for any political office.”

However, the APC in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, urged the Peoples Democratic Party not to compromise the army in the name of giving President Goodluck Jonathan an unfair advantage ahead of the February 14 presidential poll.

The APC said compromising the army could backfire. It said the military, as a symbol of national unity, must beware of those seeking to use it to achieve selfish and divisive ends.

The party said it found it funny that the army spokesman had told The PUNCH in a publication on January 4, 2015 that it had the certificates of all serving and retired officers only to deny having Buhari’s credentials two weeks later.

It said, ‘‘In an interview with The Punch on January 4, 2015, Brig.-Gen. Olaleye said, ‘Every serving and retired Army officer has at least a copy of his certificates and credentials kept in the Nigerian Army while that same serving and retired officer has copies of those same certificates and credentials’

‘‘Is Brig.-Gen. Olaleye now saying that he did not make that statement? If he did, what has happened between then and now to make him to recant? It will be interesting to know what has transpired between then and now.”

The APC added, ‘’Is he (Olaleye) now saying that all those who were commissioned into the officer cadres in the 1960s did not have their certificates verified? Does this not confirm what we said that in trying to destroy Maj. Gen. Buhari, the PDP and the Jonathan administration will end up destroying the army as an institution? Or is it only Maj. Gen. Buhari that was commissioned into the army in the 1960s.”

The APC argued that even if the army did not have Buhari’s certificates, he (Buhari) “is still very qualified to run for the country’s highest office, as stipulated by the 1999 Constitution.”

The party said since Olaleye had now confirmed that the form Buhari filed contained his Secondary School Certificate results, there was no scintilla of doubt about his qualification to run for President as stipulated by the constitution.

It added, ‘‘We know that the PDP and the Jonathan administration have constituted themselves into a court of law and will like nothing more than the disqualification of our candidate so they that will face no challenge in next month’s election.’’

Also, the Director, Media and Information Management Directorate of Buhari Support Organisation, Chidia Maduekwe, said the issue of Buhari’s certificate was inconsequential.

He said, “INEC has said it and I am saying it again, if anybody has doubts about the general’s credentials, the person should go to court.

“What the constitution says is that a person seeking for the office of President should be educated up to the level of school certificate and there is evidence that the general was in school up till form six, his school principal attested to this, he joined the army and rose to the peak.”

Another critic, who spoke to Republic Reporters on condition of anonymity questions the letter, the one from the military and the from Buhari’s alleged principal at Provisional School Katsina.
His words:”My fellow Nigerians! let us critically look at the content of the letter said to have been written and sent to the army by the Principal of Buhari’s secondary school. We need to ask some few questions to really unravel the mystery behind the authenticity of the said letter so that Nigerians will not be misled. The questions are as follows:

One, why would the Principal of Buhari’s secondary school have to recommend Buhari for enlistment into the military school if Buhari didn’t complete his secondary school education, what we know as form six, in the first instance?

Two, if the Principal really had to make such recommendation for Buhari to be enlisted into the military school, after Buhari had completed his standard or form six education from the same Provincial secondary school, Katsina, where Buhari must have sat for his WASC examination and obtained the relevant grades in the WASC subjects, why then would the same Principal of Provincial secondary school be adding a statement like “I consider that Muhammad Buhari will pass West Africa School Certificate (WASC) in English, Maths and three other subjects” in his recommendation letter?

(I want all Nigerians to note the Principal’s statement: “I consider that Muhammad Buhari WILL pass WASC in English……” in the recommendation letter of the Principal rather than “I WILL attest to the fact that Buhari had passed his WASC examination in English, Maths and three other subjects”)

Three, was it not in the same Provincial secondary school from which the recommendation letter to commission Buhari into the military originated that Buhari sat for his WASC examination? Why then CONSIDERING that Buhari would pass the same WASC examination as if Buhari attended another secondary school?

Four, Who was that Principal and what is his name? Is the Principal still alive or not? Was it the Principal that signed the recommendation letter or it was signed on his behalf? Who signed the letter on Principal’s behalf if it wasn’t the Principal? Can the full copy of the letter be published showing the Provincial secondary schooI letterhead?

Five, which certificate are we even talking about here that will disqualify Buhari to contest for the position of the presidency when the constitution says anyone contesting for the position of the President must be educated to the level of school certificate? Are we then only talking about Secondary School Certificate but not including Primary School Certificate? Is Primary School Certificate no longer school certificate as the constitution stipulates? What then could ever stop Buhari?

And lastly, Sixth question: why did Brig. Gen. Olaleye say the military had the copies of the certificates of all the serving and retired military officers on January 4, 2015 without finding out whether or not the copies of Buhari’s certificates were among those certificates in the custody of the military board or whether due process was followed or not in verifying the certificates submitted by Buhari on his admission in the army?

According to Emenike C., Buhari do no possess WASC certificate, he failed it, either way.
His words: “Mr. Buhari’s claims to have obtained five credits in English Language, Geography, Hausa Language, History, Health Science and a pass in Literature. He failed in Mathematics and Woodwork. In other words, Buhari failed to obtain the 6 credits needed to pass WAEC and therefore cannot have WASC. The constitution requires the successful completion of secondary school education. But Buhari failed WAEC. His affidavit is still false..”, he said.

Godwin Okpala, is shocked that Nigerians are debating whether Buhari passed or failed WASC.
His words:”We Nigerians are amazing. Is that all we can offer this beautiful land called Nigeria; he passed or failed WAEC?
What about let there be light in Nigeria! What about let there be clean water in Nigeria!! What about let there be good roads in Nigeria!!! Some of us here in diaspora are talking trash and they are in Nigeria looting all our money.Are we not stupid? Are we not educated men and women? This is very shameful and it is about time for Nigerians to wake up. Look at a Nigerian (US based) who went home with his wife during the Christmas period and both where gunned down in Asaba. Is this passed or failed WAEC?,”, he said.

Obi Nwakanma said Okikwa Egwu!
His words:”Buhari had “Grade 2″ in the Cambridge school certificate exam. The notation of grades into numbers of credits obtained strated n 1981. Up till 1980, you were measured by WASC on Grades 1, 2, 3 and the Pass. There was also of course the Distinction. Again, Buhari’s qualification to contest this election is not in doubt. Kastina College has settled the matter by releasing a CERTIFIED copy to the press. Whoever is in further doubt should write the WAEC HQ in Accra Ghana, or the exams department of the Fed. Ministry of Education..”, he said.

Continuing he said, “On a more general question: what this controversy does is not an indictment on Buhari but on the Army and Nigeria’s Defence department under the current administration. Basically, this “controversy” puts a light on the inadequacies in the Defence Department; the shambles that is the Military Records office. All it needed to do, f it had lost Buhari’s academic records, was seek to procure a copy from WAEC which keeps all records of the exams it has conducted since it began in 1957. If the Army cannot produce the documents of its former Commander-in-chief, then those who have held command of the Dept. of Army records should be put to the stakes. It is the highest level of incompetence that this Armed Forces cannot keep the ordinary personnel record of its veterans and service men, including those who served at its highest commands, how can it therefore be expected to keep strategic command and operational records? Odikwa egwu”, he added.

But Emenike C., questions Mr. Nwakanma’s assertion that any in doubt of Buhari’s certificate whould write WASC.
His words:””Whoever is in further doubt should write the WAEC HQ in Accra Ghana, or the exams department of the Fed. Ministry of Education…..It is the highest level of incompetence that this Armed Forces cannot keep the ordinary personnel record of its veterans and service men.”,- Obi Nwakamma

“Mazi,Apparently, you have not read WAEC remarks that only Buhari can apply for duplicates of his results. Moreover, how do you expect the Army to keep records of documents (WASC) it did not receive. As already stated by the army, Buhari was admitted into the army college on the basis of a recommendation letter from the principal of provincial college Katsina,- a sort of affirmative action, intervention and orders from above.

Continuing he said, “It is revealing that Buhari is being treated like a baby which cannot keep records of its personal credentials. Mazi, don’t you have your certificates? Why then should the army become the custodian of Buhari’s certificates?
It is very obvious that the man is extremely sloppy. How then will he outsmart the smartest folks alive in corruption and fraud?

“Nobody has told us what extraordinary potential this aspirant is going to offer Nigeria and Nigerians. Considering the biological law of diminishing returns, it is incomprehensible that Nigerians are chronically prone to recycling and imposing retired and tired radioactive materials upon themselves..”he said.

Alen Ighedosa, said that Buhari failed WASC. His words: “Folks:I thought I was losing my mind. Isn’t it a minimum of six(6) credits to PASS? That is what I thought it was. If so, why the ramble!!!! He failed WAEC. Right? Is he still qualified to run for the Presidency? YES or NO. Can we move forward now?

Reacting Obi Nwakanma said:”In a matter such as this, Buhari’s records become public records. There is no officials secrets protection covering what normally should be a simple matter of inter-departmental or inter-agency communication. Although an individual cannot go seeking to obtain the records of another, the Army, INEC, PDP, or even a magistrate can subpoena WAEC to make public Buhari’s academic records. Why? Because the issue has become matter of public interest.

Adding he said, “As I said on another occasion, it is to be understood that the requirements for running for public office is possession of a MINIMUM of the WASC, period, and Buhari has MORE than the MINIMUM. There is proof that Buhari was trained in the Royal Military School in Aldershot, and was Commissioned into the Officers Cadre of the Army. That fact alone subvents every other requirement. It is imponderable to demand of him further proof that he was QUALIFIED to attend a British military Academy in 1962/3 . That determination was made by an Army Board which found that the candidate had satisfied the MINIMUM requirement for recruitment into the officers cadet Corp of the Army. It is quite unseemly for the Army, which constituted a board in 1961 to admit him based on the documents he submitted to them, to now deny that it does not have Buhari’s academic records in its possession. If that indeed is thr case, how then did the Army assess him, including nominating him to attend the US War College in the course of his career? Buhari’s personnel records could not have been empty, given that it was the Army that promoted him to a Major-General in the first place. In any case, having attended a Military academy, which required minimum competence evidenced by possession of the School certificate, it could be argued that even if Buhari was admitted on account of a waiver, he has an equivalent of a post-secondary certification with his Diploma in the Military Sciences from Aldershot. Unless you also claim that his qualification/commission from a British military academy is also in question.

“I think we have lost the opportunity to confront Gen. Buhari on the real questions of this election: (a) how does he explain the N2.1 Billion in 1979 ( today’s value of about $20 billions) missing on his watch for which a senate committee indicted him; and the PTF questions that have been raised to countermand his claims to be an anti-corruption campaigner; (b) What exactly does he say about allegations of sectionalism & nepotism leveled against him, given evidence of his past in office; (c) How exactly does he intend to tackle Boko Haram, different from what Jonathan is doing, and what are his economic programs; how does he expect Nigerians to trust that he will create employment, given the policies of his government in 1983/84? etc. This “Buhari certificate” issue plays into the old Southern prejudice about “the uneducated Northerner.” This is a lie, and it is a desperate and incompetent lie. I think Buhari’s opponents have more than enough grounds to put him on the defensive, but not with this!! They are rather making a martyr of him and a mockery of the larger political questions..”, he said.

Former Nigeria’s president Olusegun Obasanjo has spoken about the certificate controversy rambling WASC certificate of the presidential candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) General Muhammadu Buhari (retd).
His words: ““The issue came up in 2007, and we investigated and found out that his WASC is with the military and that was why he was allowed to contest in 2007. “Buhari cannot listen to anyone about his certificates because as a General of Nigeria Army, he will speak when he chooses not by Femi Fani Kayode and Okupe asking him. Fayose and other corrupt people including Kashamu do not want Buhari because of his anti- corruption slogan. Than Obasanjo disclosed that “even Jonathan did not finish his PhD course but when it was presented we stated that, it does not matter but many people do not know because it was PDP thing. I see Buhari as the next President and Jonathan is aware of that, and that is the reason they are hitting him everywhere to put confusion in his camp. But a General is always a General…”, he said.

Update later..

Credit: Punch, Vanguard, Republic Reporters, Oluwatoyin Adepoju, Obi Nwakanma

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