A political storm is brewing in Ekiti State over the academic credentials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate, Mrs Monisade Afuye, with opposition parties demanding scrutiny of her West African Examinations Council (WAEC) certificate.
Opposition Questions 'Fountain of Knowledge' Credentials
The controversy erupted after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) published particulars of candidates for the July 20, 2026 Ekiti State governorship election. The document revealed that Afuye sat for the WAEC examination in June 1978 at Amoye Grammar School, Ikere-Ekiti, with results in four subjects.
According to the certificate, the deputy governor secured credits in Literature-in-English and Economics, while obtaining passes in History and Mathematics. This disclosure has become a focal point for criticism from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action Democratic Congress (ADC).
The South-West PDP Publicity Secretary, Sanya Atofarati, labeled the situation an "embarrassment" and a "slap" on Ekiti State, widely known as Nigeria's Fountain of Knowledge. He questioned how a candidate with such a result could represent the state in meetings with professors and technocrats.
Echoing similar sentiments, the ADC State Publicity Secretary, Gboyega Aribisogan, raised doubts about the authenticity of the O'Level result submitted to INEC, further fueling the political fire.
APC Dismisses Criticism as Politically Motivated
The Ekiti APC has swiftly moved to defend its candidate. The party's Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, dismissed the opposition's concerns as baseless and politically motivated. He accused rival parties of sensationalizing the issue to gain relevance ahead of the crucial June 20 governorship election.
Dipe insisted that Mrs Afuye has met all constitutional requirements to contest the election and that the opposition's attack is a desperate attempt to undermine public confidence in the APC. The party stands by its candidate's qualifications.
Bishop Calls for Electoral Integrity Ahead of Polls
Amidst the certificate controversy, a prominent cleric has added his voice to pre-election discourse, focusing on the need for credible polls. The Bishop of Ijesa North Diocese (Anglican Communion), Isaac Oluyamo, has called on INEC to respect the sanctity of the ballot.
Speaking during a thanksgiving service at St. Matthew’s Church, Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, the bishop urged the electoral body to "let the choice of the people stand" in both the Ekiti and Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 8, 2026.
Oluyamo also charged security agencies, including the police, to discharge their duties with professionalism and without partisanship. Furthermore, while commending President Bola Tinubu's efforts on security, the bishop stated that "half-measures are no longer enough" to address the pervasive fear on the nation's highways due to crime.
The convergence of these events—the certificate dispute and the call for electoral integrity—sets the stage for a highly charged political season in South-West Nigeria, with stakeholders watching closely as the election dates approach.
