Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has challenged Senator Adams Oshiomhole to make his academic qualifications public after the former Edo State governor described him as “shallow” and “unreliable”.
Amaechi issued the challenge during an interview on Rapid TV, where he responded to Oshiomhole’s recent criticism of his political positions, credibility and relationship with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
Oshiomhole, in an earlier interview with TVC, had questioned Amaechi’s political consistency, accusing him of contradicting his previous positions by criticising the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu after previously supporting the party.
The senator also questioned Amaechi’s decision to work with Atiku, recalling that the former Rivers governor had previously challenged Atiku’s emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate.
Reacting, Amaechi expressed disappointment over Oshiomhole’s remarks, insisting that the two men were political equals who served as state governors around the same period.
Defending his academic record, Amaechi listed his 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.
“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.
He then challenged Oshiomhole to present his own academic credentials, saying: “Tell him to show his certificate.”
The former governor also recalled that Oshiomhole was among the governors who supported his emergence as chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), 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,” he said.
Amaechi further linked the senator’s criticism to the circumstances surrounding Oshiomhole’s removal as national chairman of the APC.
He alleged that he led the group that worked against Oshiomhole’s continued leadership of the party, arguing that the former Edo governor was incapable of effectively managing its affairs.
“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,” Amaechi said.
On Oshiomhole’s allegations concerning the management of public funds and abandoned projects during his eight-year administration in Rivers State, Amaechi questioned why the senator had waited approximately 12 years after he left office to raise such concerns.
“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,” he said.
The former minister added that he would not continue responding to Oshiomhole’s comments, saying the senator was free to make further allegations if he wished.
The latest exchange highlights the growing political tension between the two former APC allies, whose disagreement has extended from questions of political loyalty and academic credentials to party leadership and allegations surrounding Amaechi’s administration in Rivers State.
