APC, Opposition Clash Over Deputy Governor’s WAEC Record

As the June 20, 2026, gubernatorial election in Ekiti State approaches, political tensions are escalating over the eligibility of the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate, Monisade Afuye. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) have publicly raised concerns regarding the authenticity of Afuye’s West African Examinations Council (WAEC) certificate, a document submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as part of candidate credentials.

The controversy stems from a certificate indicating that Afuye sat for her WAEC examinations in June 1978 at Amoye Grammar School, Ikere-Ekiti, recording four subjects: credits in Literature-in-English and Economics, and passes in History and Mathematics. While the certificate forms part of the official documents released by INEC, it has prompted reactions from opposition parties and counter-statements from the APC, signaling a potentially contentious pre-election period.

PDP and ADC Challenge Candidate’s Qualifications

The PDP and ADC have expressed strong reservations about Afuye’s suitability for the deputy governorship office. Chief Sanya Atofarati, South-West PDP Publicity Secretary, described the matter as “embarrassing” for Ekiti, a state celebrated for its academic achievements.

“This is a source of embarrassment for all Ekiti people. A state celebrated for scholars deserves better. Imagine someone with such a record expected to represent a governor at meetings of professors and technocrats,” Atofarati said.

Similarly, Gboyega Aribisogan, ADC State Publicity Secretary, questioned the authenticity of Afuye’s O’Level result, citing concerns raised as far back as 2022. Aribisogan noted that some APC members previously claimed Afuye did not complete her education at Amoye Grammar School and instead sat for the General Certificate of Education (GCE) elsewhere. He warned that unresolved disputes could trigger litigation ahead of the elections, potentially impacting the campaigns of both the governor and deputy governor candidates.

APC Defends Candidate, Dismisses Allegations

In response, Segun Dipe, APC State Publicity Secretary, dismissed the criticisms as “baseless and politically motivated.” He accused the opposition of attempting to “sensationalise” Afuye’s academic record to undermine public confidence in the APC

Dipe reaffirmed that Afuye met all constitutional requirements to contest and that her credentials were thoroughly screened and approved by the APC national leadership. “Deputy Governor Afuye has served the state diligently and excellently since assuming office. PDP and ADC should stop recycling allegations and focus on their campaigns,” he said.

The APC maintains that the controversy is an unnecessary distraction from electoral issues and urged opposition parties to prioritize voter engagement over what it described as smear campaigns.