Kabiru Masari, running mate to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that his original certificates are missing.

The development comes amid the controversy over the primary and secondary schools certificates of Tinubu.

Reports have it that Masari in particulars submitted to INEC deposed to an affidavit on the loss of his primary and secondary schools certificates.

He however said that he attended Masari Primary school, Katsina State between 1972-78 and obtained a Grade 2 Certificate from Katsina Teachers College in 1982 and a Higher Certificate in 1995.

Masari in the sworn affidavit for ‘Loss of Some Original Documents’ obtained from Divisional Police Headquarter, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja attached to the particulars he submitted to INEC said that in January 2021, while on transit within Wuse, Area FCT, Abuja, he lost his Certificate of Grade 2 Certificate from Katsina Teachers College and First Leaving Primary School Certificate issued by Masari Primary School, Katsina State, (1972-78).

He also said that all efforts made to trace the items proved abortive.

Masari’s sworn affidavit read in part: “Ibrahim Kabiru Masari, male, Muslim, Nigerian citizen of Abubakar Rimi Crescent, National Assembly Quarters, Apo, FCT– Abuja, declare an oath and state as follows:

“That I am the above-named persons and bonafide owner of the under-listed documents. That sometimes in January 2021, while on transit within Wuse Area, FCT– Abuja, I discovered that my original Certificate of Occupancy of plot NoKT 17522, GRA Katsina Estate; Certificate of Kaduna State Development Centre from 1994-95; Grade 11 Certificate from Katsina Teachers College from 1979-83 and First Leaving School Certificate issued by Masari Primary School Katsina State from 1972-78 got lost. That all efforts made to trace the documents proved abortive, that this affidavit is required for record purpose and for all authorities and persons concerned to take note,” the affidavit reads in part.

Daily Trust reports that Tinubu chose Masari as a placeholder to meet INEC’s deadline of submitting names of candidates for the 2023 elections. (Daily Trust)

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