Who is the Real Bola Ahmed Tinubu? Investigating His Identity and Controversies

Identity is very important in leadership. It beats my imagination that despite the sturdy investigative journalism that abounds, Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged as Nigeria’s President in 2023.

Rumours abound that Tinubu’s real name is Yekini Amoda Sangodele and that he hails from Iragbiji in Osun State. The same rumours say that he was adopted by the late Madam Mogaji Tinubu, the late President-General of the Nigerian Market Women, which led to the name change.

Conflicting Birth Records and Education Claims

He claimed he was born in 1952, which makes him 74 years old. Another record shows he was born in 1954. Which do we believe?

He claimed that he went to St. John’s Primary School Aroloya, which, after investigation, was found to be a gargantuan lie. He also claimed to have attended Government College Ibadan in the 1965 set, which the old boys denied.

One wonders with which educational records Bola Ahmed Tinubu got admitted into Richard Daley College in Chicago. There were also controversies as to whether he really attended the Chicago State University, which the educational institution confirmed that he attended. The multi-billion-dollar question which has to be asked by discerning voters and Nigerians, as well as even foreigners alike, is to reiterate with which lower educational credentials he attended the institution?

Bola Ahmed Tinubu: Legal Controversies and International Scrutiny

What about the $460,000 drug money forfeiture? Was the forfeiture an admission of guilt? These are critical questions begging for urgent answers.

Why is he afraid of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) releasing its files on him if his hands are really clean? Is he the best candidate that the Yoruba race, which touts itself as Nigeria’s most sophisticated, can present? This is a race that produced the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, whose legacies still live on while he held sway as the then Western Region’s Premier.

Look at his controversial presidential pardons in 2005. It included about 175 drug barons and kidnappers. Why pardon that despicable set of people and ignore innocent people who suffered unjust incarcerations? Why does Seyi, his only son, make use of the presidential jet even though he is not an elected official? Why does he accompany him on presidential visits and even get more recognition than Ministers and other presidential aides?

Conflict of Interest and Chagoury

Then comes his controversial chummy relationship with Gilbert Chagoury, the Nigerian-Lebanese businessman who was convicted of money laundering for the Late General Sani Abacha by a Swiss Court. Chagoury also has legal challenges in the United States that border on alleged financial crimes. Was there any competitive bidding for the award of the Lagos Coastal Road contract to his company?

Even the recent port deal from the UK was given to his company. On what basis was he given that? Bola Ahmed Tinubu claims to be patriotic, but he is indirectly sabotaging the efforts of indigenous contractors in favour of a foreign crony. Seyi Tinubu is even on the board of one of Chagoury’s companies. Isn’t that a conflict of interest?

It is a shame that the leader of the most populous black nation on earth is shrouded in mystery and secrecy. Nigeria has become the butt of jokes in the international community for having a leader who is at the mercy of a ‘blackmail’ by the FBI.

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Who Avoided Debates

It was tragic that Tinubu avoided electoral debates in 2023, where all these questions would have been asked, as Nigerians deserve to know. It is not a privilege, it is our right to know the true identity of our leaders. He must be subjected to debates so that he can be humble enough to answer these grave questions. It is a huge shame that my alma mater, Kings College Lagos, made him an honorary old boy. What in God’s name does that mean? You are an alumnus or not. How tragic all for filthy lucre! When the head of the fish is rotten, it affects the other body parts.

I recall watching an interview with a Governor who was asked whether he attended Obafemi Awolowo University, and he responded that the case was in court. I have read biographies of great African leaders from Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, etc. Will Tinubu be man enough to also write his?

Posterity beckons as the spin doctors won’t live forever!

Tony Ademiluyi is a Lagos-based journalist and writer.