The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) certificate of Monisade Afuye, deputy governorship candidate of Ekiti State’s All Progressives Congress (APC), has stirred debate as the state prepares for the June 20, 2026 governorship election.
FIRST DAILY reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released Afuye’s certificate, part of the official documents submitted by all governorship candidates and their deputies.
The certificate shows that Afuye sat for the WAEC exam at Amoye Grammar School, Ikere-Ekiti, in June 1978.
According to the document, she recorded passes in History and Mathematics and credits in Economics and Literature-in-English, totaling two passes and two credits.
The certificate has drawn sharp reactions from opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who questioned Afuye’s suitability for public office.
The APC, however, dismissed the criticisms as politically motivated.
Commenting on Sunday, January 4, Chief Sanya Atofarati, South-West PDP Publicity Secretary, described the situation as “embarrassing” for Ekiti State.
“This is a source of embarrassment for all Ekiti people. A state widely celebrated for academic excellence and intellectual prowess deserves better.
“It’s disheartening that the APC is presenting a candidate with such a record for the sensitive office of deputy governor.
READ ALSO: Ekiti 2026: PDP Missing from INEC Provisional Candidates List
“Imagine someone who today submits a low-level and unconvincing school certificate being expected tomorrow to represent a governor at meetings of professors and technocrats. What exactly does such a person have to offer?” he added.
Gboyega Aribisogan, ADC State Publicity Secretary, also raised concerns, noting that doubts about Afuye’s qualifications had arisen when she was first nominated in 2022.
“In 2022, when she was announced as the APC deputy governorship candidate, some members of her own party openly discussed the doubts surrounding her qualification.
“Many of our professionals and alumni spoke out against her nomination then, but because of the dictatorial tendencies within the APC party structure at the time, the issue was swept under the carpet and she was imposed as deputy governor. As we head into another governorship election, our people are talking again,” Aribisogan said.
Responding, Ekiti APC Publicity Secretary Segun Dipe dismissed the criticisms as baseless and politically motivated.
“Opposition parties are sensationalising Afuye’s WAEC results to undermine public confidence in the APC. The deputy governor met all constitutional requirements to contest as deputy governor,” Dipe stated.