The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) certificate of Mrs. Monisade Afuye, the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate in Ekiti State, has ignited widespread debate and political reactions ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
The secondary school certificate, which forms part of the documents submitted by governorship candidates and their running mates, was recently released and displayed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in line with electoral guidelines. Shortly after its publication, the certificate began circulating on social media, drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties.
The WAEC result shows that Afuye sat for the examination at Amoye Grammar School, Ikere-Ekiti, in June 1978. According to the document, the only academic certificate she submitted she recorded passes in History and Mathematics, and credits in Economics and Literature-in-English, amounting to two credits and two passes.
The disclosure has triggered strong reactions from opposition parties, notably the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), both of which questioned Afuye’s suitability for high public office.
In a statement on Sunday, the South-West PDP Publicity Secretary, Chief Sanya Atofarati, described the certificate as “embarrassing” and a “slap in the face” of Ekiti State, widely regarded as a hub of academic excellence.
“Ekiti is celebrated nationwide as the fountain of knowledge and a state of scholars. It is disheartening that the APC is presenting a candidate with such an academic record for the sensitive office of deputy governor,” Atofarati said.
He further questioned Afuye’s ability to effectively represent the governor at high-level engagements involving technocrats and intellectuals, adding that Ekiti people deserved better representation.
Similarly, the ADC’s Ekiti State Publicity Secretary, Gboyega Aribisogan, faulted the O’Level result, arguing that a state renowned for its intellectual pedigree should not be led by individuals with what he described as “questionable credentials.”
Aribisogan recalled that concerns about Afuye’s qualifications had surfaced as far back as 2022, when she was first announced as the APC deputy governorship candidate.
“At the time, even members of her own party openly raised doubts about her educational background. There were claims that she did not complete her education at the school she listed and that she sat for the GCE externally,” he said.
He warned that the renewed controversy could spark fresh litigation capable of jeopardising the APC’s chances in the forthcoming election.
Reacting to the criticism, the Ekiti APC Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, dismissed the claims as politically motivated and a calculated attempt by opposition parties to gain relevance ahead of the June 20 governorship poll.
Dipe accused the opposition of sensationalising Afuye’s academic records to undermine public confidence in the APC, insisting that she fully met all constitutional requirements to contest as deputy governor.
“The deputy governor’s qualifications are in line with the provisions of the constitution. These attacks are nothing but desperate moves by opposition parties struggling for attention,” he said.
As the election season approaches, the controversy surrounding Afuye’s WAEC certificate appears set to remain a key talking point in Ekiti’s evolving political landscape.
