Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has clarified the controversy surrounding his West African Examination Certificate, WAEC.
The Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election, had sworn an affidavit, informing the Independent National Electoral Commission that he lost his original WAEC certificate.
The revelation was greeted with mixed reactions when it was made public.
However, Okowa in a chat with newsmen on Tuesday, revealed that he scored the overall second best result in 1976 among students who sat for the exam in Nigeria.
The former lawmaker described the controversy as a deliberate wrong perception and unnecessary politics by naysayers.
According to Okowa, many universities in the country offered him admission based on his excellent performance at the time.
Speaking to journalists after inspecting projects at the Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, the Governor said;
“on the issue of my certificate, I think it is a misconception. People try to play politics with everything.
“Yes, I lost my WAEC certificate, but I have the print out from Edo College, Benin City, which clearly stated that I have distinction in all subjects.
“The Higher School Certificate was attached and it has been acknowledged by Edo College and the school put it out there that I made an ‘A’ B’B’.
“I do not pride myself but it was very difficult to make such grade in higher school at that time.
“My high school result was the second best nationally in 1976, when I finished. So, many universities admitted me through Telegram as at that time, and I had to start making choices of which to accept.
“Of course, it’s very clear that I finished medical school at the University of Ibadan. I was 21years and some months; I was less than 22 years of age.’’
