A University Don, Prof. Idemudia Oviosun has challenged Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State to offer clarifications on the alleged inconsistencies contained in his academic credentials, instead of relying on what it described as a ‘terse statement’ from the University of Ibadan.
The embattled Governor had been dragged before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of forgery and perjury following bi-partisan accusations from large members of the APC and PDP in Edo State that the governor presented doctored academic certificates.
The University of Ibadan, Obaseki’s Alma Mata, issued a statement earlier today affirming that the Governor is indeed an alumnus of the institution. However, in reaction, Professor Idemudia Oviosun, a consultant and expert in Leadership, Strategy and Management said the governor must offer a full clarification as, according to him, the statement from the university did little to answer the inconsistencies observed in his credentials.
He said: “A terse statement from the University of Ibadan which for all we know could be the product of undue pressure and official intimidation is not enough to absolve Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State of the serious allegations of forgery and perjury.”
“I have studied copies of the said certificates making the rounds on the internet and whether or not Governor Godwin Obaseki graduated from the University of Ibadan, answers must be provided on why the Governor has different and conflicting copies of his certificate from the institution, why he swore an affidavit saying he graduated in 1976 when his certificate read 1979, and how he managed to sit for five subjects at the Advanced Level when independent checks have shown that students were only allowed to sit for four subjects.”
“Forging documents and lying under oath are separate issues from graduation and I hereby call on the investigatory bodies in the country to double their efforts in getting to the root of the matter to avoid an unfortunate situation where a man who conjured documents is not only allowed to get away with it but rewarded with a leadership position.”
