Group alleges plot to derail Oyebanji–Afuye ticket over certificate saga

By Boye Oyeyemi –

A socio-political group, the Ikere Ekiti Development Initiative, has described the renewed controversy over the academic credentials of Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisola Christianah Afuye, as a calculated political plot.

In a statement on Tuesday, signed by its Convener, Temitope Adeniyi, the group alleged that some political actors were deliberately attempting to sow discord between Governor Biodun Oyebanji and his deputy for personal gain.

The group said the allegations surrounding Afuye’s certificates were not new, insisting that the issue had been thoroughly examined and legally resolved during the 2022 governorship election.

IEDI maintained that two Supreme Court judgments had affirmed the deputy governor’s academic qualifications, describing the fresh claims as baseless and politically motivated.

It added that the attacks had moved beyond academic issues and now amounted to political blackmail, arguing that Afuye’s performance in office reflected competence and loyalty.

The group alleged that the campaign was being driven by individuals nursing deputy governorship ambitions as a route to future governorship contests, a move it described as unnecessary in Ekiti politics.

IEDI warned that it would resist attempts to smear the deputy governor’s image, stressing that Governor Oyebanji’s decision to retain Afuye as his running mate showed confidence, continuity and trust.