Rotimi Amaechi challenges Adams Oshiomhole to publish his academic records after the senator questioned his credibility and political positions
Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has challenged Senator Adams Oshiomhole to make his academic qualifications public following criticism of his political positions and credibility.
Amaechi issued the challenge during an interview on Rapid TV while responding to recent remarks by the former All Progressives Congress national chairman, who described him as “shallow” and “unreliable”.
Oshiomhole had accused Amaechi of contradicting his previous political positions by criticising the APC and President Bola Tinubu after previously supporting the party.
He also questioned Amaechi’s relationship with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, recalling that the former Rivers governor had previously challenged Atiku’s emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate.
Reacting, Amaechi said he was disappointed by Oshiomhole’s comments, insisting that they were political equals who served as governors at the same time.
Defending his academic background, Amaechi listed his qualifications, including degrees in Law and Literature, master’s degrees in both fields, a certificate from the University of London and a master’s degree from King’s College London.
He also said he was pursuing a master’s degree in Global Political Economy.
“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,” Amaechi said.
“Tell him to show his certificate,” he added.
The former governor also recalled that Oshiomhole was among the governors who elected him chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, questioning why the senator would now describe him as shallow.
“He’s not my subordinate. We are equals. He was governor while I was governor. So he’s not my subordinate,” Amaechi said.
He linked Oshiomhole’s criticism to his role in the former Edo governor’s removal as APC national chairman, alleging that he led the group that worked against Oshiomhole’s continued leadership of the 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.
Oshiomhole had also questioned Amaechi’s credibility by recalling his previous opposition to Atiku’s emergence as the PDP presidential candidate, alleging that the former Rivers governor had described the primary as fraudulent and challenged the outcome in court.
He further claimed that Amaechi changed his position after Atiku approached him to work together.
Responding to allegations that his administration mismanaged public funds and abandoned projects in Rivers State, Amaechi questioned why Oshiomhole waited 12 years to raise the claims.
He argued that the allegations were not made during his tenure or in the years immediately after he left office.
“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, however, said he would not respond to Oshiomhole again, adding that the senator could continue making whatever allegations he wished.
