Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has challenged Senator Adams Oshiomhole to make his academic certificates public after the former Edo State governor described him as “shallow” and “unreliable” during a recent political exchange. Amaechi also defended his educational qualifications and questioned Oshiomhole’s criticism of his political decisions and relationship with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
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Key Highlights
- Amaechi challenges Oshiomhole to make his academic certificates public.
- The former Rivers governor lists his degrees in Law and Literature, alongside other academic qualifications.
- He recalls Oshiomhole’s role in his emergence as chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
- Amaechi alleges that he led efforts that resulted in Oshiomhole’s removal as APC national chairman.
- The disagreement also involves Amaechi’s political relationship with Atiku Abubakar and allegations concerning his administration in Rivers State.
Amaechi Responds to Oshiomhole’s ‘Shallow’ Remark
Amaechi issued the challenge during an interview on Rapid TV, where he responded to Oshiomhole’s recent criticism of his political decisions, relationship with Atiku and comments about the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu.
The former Minister of Transportation said he was surprised by Oshiomhole’s remarks, considering their previous relationship as state governors and his academic background.
Amaechi listed his educational qualifications, saying he holds degrees in Law and Literature, master’s degrees in both disciplines, a certificate from the University of London and a master’s degree from King’s College London.
He also disclosed that he was pursuing another master’s degree in Global Political Economy.
Responding directly to Oshiomhole’s description of him as shallow, Amaechi said:
“He said I’m shallow, but I hold degrees in Law and Literature, Master’s degrees in both fields, and a certificate from the University of London. I also have a master’s degree from King’s College London, and I’m pursuing a master’s degree in Global Political Economy.”
He subsequently challenged the senator to make his own academic qualifications public, saying: “Tell him to show his certificate.”
Amaechi Recalls Relationship With Oshiomhole as Governors
The former Rivers governor also recalled their relationship during their respective tenures as governors, noting that Oshiomhole was among those who elected him chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).
He questioned why the former Edo governor would now describe him as shallow, insisting that neither of them was superior to the other.
“He’s not my subordinate. We are equals. He was governor while I was governor. So he’s not my subordinate,” Amaechi said.
Amaechi further linked Oshiomhole’s criticism to the events surrounding his removal as APC national chairman.
He alleged that he led the group that worked against Oshiomhole’s continued leadership of the ruling party.
“What is paining Oshiomhole is that he was removed as chairman of the party, and I led the team that removed him as chairman of the party because he was incapable of governing the party,” he said.
Atiku’s Political Relationship Fuels Disagreement
Another issue behind the disagreement is Amaechi’s political relationship with Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Oshiomhole had questioned Amaechi’s decision to work with Atiku, recalling that the former Rivers governor previously challenged Atiku’s emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate.
The senator alleged that Amaechi had described the PDP presidential primary that produced Atiku as fraudulent and challenged its outcome in court before changing his position after Atiku approached him for political cooperation.
The disagreement has therefore extended beyond their personal exchanges to questions about political loyalty, party decisions and alliances.
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Amaechi Rejects Allegations Over Rivers Administration
Amaechi also responded to allegations by Oshiomhole concerning the management of public funds and abandoned projects during his eight-year administration as governor of Rivers State.
He questioned why the allegations were being raised approximately 12 years after he left office, arguing that Oshiomhole did not raise the issues during his administration or in the immediate years that followed.
“It took him 12 years. Nigeria has not asked questions. Twelve years to accuse me and falsely. He didn’t say it as I left office, he didn’t say it one year after, two years after, three years after,” Amaechi said.
The former governor maintained that he would not continue responding to Oshiomhole, adding that the senator was free to make further comments if he wished.
The exchange has renewed attention on the relationship between the two former APC allies, with their disagreement covering academic qualifications, party leadership, political alliances and allegations relating to Amaechi’s tenure as Rivers State governor.
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