Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reportedly launched a scathing attack on Premium Times, accusing the newspaper of engaging in a witch-hunt following its report on his failure to release his academic records.
Atiku, through his media aide, Paul Ibe, issued a statement condemning Premium Times’ inquiry into his academic records, claiming it was neither controversial nor shrouded in secrecy.
The newspaper stated that it had initially requested Atiku’s academic records in a letter dated October 3, and after receiving no response for over two months, published a report over the weekend detailing the former vice president’s refusal to release the documents.
He said: “The ethics of journalism seeks to establish the truth when there is a dispute about it or when there is a deliberate cover-up that inhibits public interest.
Atiku’s media adviser, Mr Ibe, accused Premium Times of unprofessionalism and mischief, describing the story as “fictional.”
He argued that all the requested documents were public and suggested that the newspaper should have obtained them from the electoral commission, INEC, and the institutions where Atiku claimed to have graduated.
Despite the allegations and statements, PremiumTimes reported that Atiku did not provide the requested documents along with his response. Instead, he accused Premium Times of protecting the interests of the Tinubu administration without providing any evidence.
“Atiku is an alumnus of both Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom. Premium Times did not place an order for Atiku’s academic records with these reputable institutions, nor did Atiku stop the school or go to court to ask any of these schools not to release his records. Premium Times is also at liberty to write to the West African Examination Council (WAEC) demanding for a copy of the former Vice President’s certificate and transcript.”
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