The National Democratic Coalition, a pro-democracy organisation, slammed Wednesday’s British Broadcasting Corporation report on President Bola Tinubu’s academic records at Chicago State University, calling it an attempt to perpetuate colonialism in Nigeria.
This was as it observed the BBC was rapidly losing its ethical and journalistic credentials in its apparent “attempt to launder the image of President Tinubu,” saying it was shocking that the British media outfit had chosen to engage in “this image-laundering project, despite irrefutable evidence pointing to the authenticity of the allegations.”
Lloyd Ukwu, the group’s Executive Director in the United States, stated this in a statement on Wednesday night.
The BBC Disinformation Team reported on Wednesday that there was no evidence that President Bola Tinubu’s academic certificates from Chicago State University, which he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2023 presidential election, were forged.
However, NADECO stated in a statement, “In a world where integrity and honesty are becoming increasingly scarce commodities, it is our solemn duty to shine a light on deception and manipulation, even when it is carried out by influential figures.” Today, we stand firm against the British Broadcasting Corporation’s latest reckless display of disinformation in its apparent hired attempt to clean up President Bola Tinubu’s tattered image.
“In recent times, we have seen a relentless campaign to restore President Bola Tinubu’s image, which has been tarnished by the CSU certificate forgery saga.” The BBC’s Disinformation Team is the most recent participant in this image laundering project. It is disheartening to see an organisation that the public has long trusted engage in such biassed and deceptive reporting.
“What astounds us is not the attempt to whitewash President Tinubu’s image, for which he recently hired another team of media aides, but the BBC’s motivation and consideration for this hatchet job.” On one level, we are perplexed by the BBC’s blatant disregard for facts already in the public domain. Under oath, the CSU registrar stated unequivocally that the certificate submitted by Tinubu to INEC was not issued by the University and was not legitimate, strongly implying forgery. Nonetheless, the BBC has chosen to spin its version of the story in order to deceive the astute Nigerian public.
“Once again, it is unsurprising that Tinubu, recognising the damage to his reputation as a result of the Chicago State University certificate forgery saga, has recently hired a new team of media aides to rehabilitate his public image.” On another level, what is truly shocking is the BBC’s decision to participate in this image-laundering project, despite irrefutable evidence pointing to the authenticity of the allegations.
“Is it possible that what Tinubu’s money cannot buy does not exist, or that the old colonial mouthpiece is at work?”
“What would the BBC call it if the CSU’s registrar, under oath, unequivocally affirmed that the certificate submitted by Tinubu to INEC is not from their institution, signifying the unequivocal act of forgery?” Surprisingly, the BBC chose to disseminate a version of the story designed specifically to deceive the enlightened Nigerian public.
“Documents obtained from CSU reveal a slew of inconsistencies and paint a clear picture of deception:
“Mr Bola Tinubu did not meet the admission criteria and was required to retake the exams.”
“His admission document stated that he was female.
“He used another woman’s social security number.”
“The document he submitted claims to be from a school established in 1970, whereas the school was founded in 1974.”
“What truly confounds and perplexes NADECO USA is the BBC’s apparent failure to fact-check these glaring discrepancies before presenting its report to the Nigerian people, thus knowingly and maliciously doing a disservice to journalism and to the very people they are meant to inform,” the statement continued.
“Furthermore, the BBC has demonstrated a marked reluctance to investigate whether Tinubu was involved in a drug case in the United States or whether he and his cohorts manipulated the general elections in Nigeria.” While the world expects the BBC to provide objective, investigative journalism, it appears that they prefer to twist what is already known. The BBC’s selective reporting tarnishes its already fading credibility and undermines the trust of Nigerians who already know the truth.
“The BBC is gradually losing relevance and trust among Nigerians and people around the world who seek truth and integrity in reporting.” The annoyances of a British colonial mouthpiece, as well as the colonial arrogance displayed in the form of such unverified and misleading stories, cannot be tolerated by the suffering Nigerian masses.
“NADECO USA strongly condemns the BBC’s media report, which can only be described as irresponsible disregard for the truth and a disservice to the Nigerian people.” We urge the BBC to discontinue such practises immediately.”
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