Documents submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by Senator Chukwu Kelvin Chizoba, who represents Enugu East Senatorial District, have reportedly raised questions over inconsistencies in his declared date of birth, educational history and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) records.
Chizoba submitted the documents as part of his requirements to seek re-election in the 2027 general elections.
According to a review of the documents reportedly conducted by SaharaReporters, some of the information contained in the senator’s sworn submissions appears difficult to reconcile, particularly the dates relating to his birth, primary education, university qualification and NYSC service.
The documents reportedly show that Chizoba declared under oath that he was born on January 10, 1972.
However, his records also indicate that he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) in 1977.
If both dates are accurate, the records would suggest that Chizoba completed his primary education at approximately five years of age.
The timeline has attracted attention because primary education in Nigeria traditionally spans six years, although individual circumstances and historical differences in school-entry ages can vary.
Discrepancy Over LL.B and NYSC Records
Further questions reportedly arise from the dates attached to Chizoba’s university qualification and NYSC certificate.
In his sworn submission to INEC, the senator reportedly stated that he obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree on June 22, 2021.
However, an NYSC certificate contained among the documents reportedly indicates that he completed his mandatory national service between June 9, 1997 and June 8, 1998.
The dates, if accurately reflected in the documents, would mean that the NYSC service was completed about 23 years before the date given for the acquisition of his LL.B degree.
The discrepancy raises questions about the sequence of his academic and professional records and whether there were earlier qualifications or circumstances that could explain the timeline.
SaharaReporters reportedly contacted Chizoba for clarification and gave him an opportunity to explain the information contained in his sworn documents.
The questions reportedly included how his declared date of birth corresponds with the 1977 date attached to his First School Leaving Certificate, as well as how he completed NYSC in 1998 if his LL.B qualification was obtained in 2021.
As of the time of the report, Chizoba had reportedly not responded to the requests for clarification.
The discrepancies remain allegations arising from the documents reviewed and would require clarification from the senator and, where necessary, the relevant institutions before any definitive conclusion can be reached.