Ogala says Tinubu qualified for 2027 presidency per constitution
Former APC National Legal Adviser Babatunde Ogala asserted on Channels Television's Politics Today that President Bola Tinubu is constitutionally qualified to run for president in 2027. Speaking on Thursday, August 6, 2026, Ogala said Tinubu meets the age requirement and is a Nigerian, satisfying the constitutional criteria. He noted that the constitution requires education up to School Certificate level, interpreted as Primary Six and the ability to read and write, and that Tinubu claims to hold a university degree. Ogala questioned why critics demand Tinubu's primary and secondary school certificates when such proof is not required of other professionals, likening it to asking him to prove he is a lawyer. The controversy stems from Tinubu's failure to submit his primary and secondary school certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a omission that has fueled public debate over his eligibility. Ogala maintained that unless a judicial process determines otherwise, Tinubu's Nigerian citizenship stands. The discussion highlights the ongoing debate about what constitutes sufficient proof of eligibility for Nigeria's highest office. With the qualification issue resurfaced, will voters prioritize the constitutional standards Ogala cites, or insist on documentary evidence of Tinubu's early education?