Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has challenged Senator Adams Oshiomhole to make his academic certificates public following the latter’s description of him as “shallow” and “unreliable”.
Amaechi made the challenge during an interview on Rapid TV while reacting to Oshiomhole’s recent criticism of his political positions and credibility.
Oshiomhole had accused the former governor of contradicting his previous political positions by criticising the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu after previously supporting the party.
He also questioned Amaechi’s relationship with former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, recalling that the former Rivers governor had previously challenged Atiku’s emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate.
Responding, Amaechi expressed disappointment over Oshiomhole’s remarks, insisting that both men were political equals who served as state governors during the same period.
He defended his academic qualifications, listing degrees in Law and Literature, a certificate from the University of London and a master’s degree from King’s College London, while challenging Oshiomhole to present his own certificates.
Amaechi also recalled that Oshiomhole was among the governors who elected him chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, questioning the basis of the senator’s description of him as shallow.
The former governor further alleged that Oshiomhole’s criticism was connected to his role in the removal of the former Edo State governor as national chairman of the APC.
Amaechi claimed he led the team that worked against Oshiomhole’s continued leadership of the party, alleging that he was incapable of managing its affairs.
On allegations that his administration mismanaged public funds and abandoned projects in Rivers State, Amaechi questioned why Oshiomhole waited 12 years after his tenure to raise the issues.
He maintained that the allegations were not raised during or immediately after his administration.
Amaechi, however, said he would no longer respond to Oshiomhole’s comments, adding that the senator was free to continue making his allegations.