Certificate of no certificate: Are military training certificates below "primary school leaving certificates" in Nigeria?
Can we try and look at this issue of "Buhari ba certificate" as dispassionately and non-partisanship as we can? I don't mind those who are opposed to Buhari's credentials using logical and real political issues of concern to Nigerians to discredit him, but I think this little matter of academic qualifications has no merit.
The Constitution of Nigeria stipulates that for a Nigerian to contest for and occupy any political position, from the lowest Local Government Councillor to the ultimate President of the Federal Republic, the minimum academic standard or achievement is a "primary school leaving certificate or equivalent". Please not the word "EQUIVALENT".
Now, let us have a cursory look at Muhammadu Buhari, retired General of the Nigerian Army (this is not in doubt); former military Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (again not in doubt, even if he forced himself on us then - although some people said Babangida was the real planner and executor of the coup that brought Buhari into power) and at various times, former state Military governor, former Federal minister, Head of Petroleum Trust Fund, etc
Are we now saying that a man who was trained from recruit and rose to be a General in our army would not have a certificate - and yes, a military certificate gained during military courses at military schools all over the world are academic certificates recognised all over the world - that is either equivalent to a minimum "primary school leaving certificate" or even many times superior?
Are we saying that with the millions of Naira that must have been invested on Buhari by the Government of Nigeria, to make him a General and after attending all these training and courses do not meet minimum or EQUIVALENT academic requirement to contest an election in the same Nigeria?
Or that those certificates and awards of Buhari's training in the military are not worth more than the prescribed minimum "primary school leaving certificate"?
Compatriots, please let us use other ploys, political weaknesses or issues to attempt to disqualify, demean or discredit Buhari.
Not of "Buhari has no Certificate". That is inane and is borne out of small, spiteful minds.
If INEC, following the Constitution to the letter, is not satisfied with his academic/military training qualifications, so be it, disqualify him, and let them tell us that the training of a General in the Nigerian Army is below a primary school leaving certificate.
On the other hand, his party, APC should not be reticent and close-mouthed as they seem to be right now. The above is the way out.
Akintokunbo A Adejumo
MSc, Dip Mngt, CIHM, MCMI, FITP
No comments:
Post a Comment