“MSc Listed, Primary & Secondary Blank: Certificate War Returns As 63-Year-Old Oborevwori’s 2027 INEC Form Sparks Fresh Debate Over What He Declared”
By Passman Akpos
A fresh controversy has erupted over the educational qualifications declared by Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, in his particulars submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The controversy followed the circulation of what is presented as Governor Oborevwori’s 2027 INEC nomination particulars, in which the sections for primary and secondary education appear as “0000”, while the higher education section lists “MSC POLITICAL SCIENCE — 2009.”
The document identifies Oborevwori as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and contains his personal particulars, including his date of birth, occupation and address.
The disclosure has triggered sharply divided reactions among Delta State political commentators and social media users.
Critic Fejiro Oliver questioned why the governor did not list primary and secondary qualifications in the form, arguing that the omission raises questions about the educational credentials declared before INEC.
Oliver also linked the controversy to broader criticisms of the Oborevwori administration, including the pace of infrastructure projects and the governor’s handling of criticism.
However, supporters of the governor have dismissed the criticism as politically motivated, insisting that the governor possesses a master’s degree and has already satisfied the constitutional requirements for election.
One supporter, Okono Kelvin, argued that the controversy had already been settled through previous litigation and maintained that Oborevwori had demonstrated the capacity to govern Delta State.
Another commentator argued that candidates are not necessarily required to fill every educational level on the nomination form if they submit evidence of a higher qualification that satisfies the statutory requirement.
WHAT DOES THE INEC FORM ACTUALLY SHOW?
The portion of the document circulating publicly is headed:
“Schools Attended/Educational Qualifications With Dates — Attach Evidence of All Educational Qualifications.
Under the listed categories, it shows:
– Primary: 0000
– Secondary: 0000
– Higher: MSc Political Science — 2009
That is what the document appears to contain.
However, the form’s failure to list a primary or secondary qualification does not, by itself, establish that the governor never attended primary or secondary school. Likewise, an omission from a nomination form should not automatically be presented as proof that a candidate lacks a qualification.
The more precise question is whether the qualifications submitted by Oborevwori satisfy the constitutional and electoral requirements and whether the supporting documents attached to his nomination papers were accepted by INEC.
SUPREME COURT ISSUE RE-EMERGES
The latest controversy has also revived arguments surrounding earlier litigation over Oborevwori’s educational qualifications.
Supporters of the governor have pointed to previous court proceedings in which, according to their account, institutions including Ambrose Alli University and Oghareki Modern School were involved in evidence concerning his academic credentials.
They argue that the courts have already dealt with the issue and that repeatedly raising the certificate controversy amounts to an attempt to reopen a matter they consider settled.
Critics, however, contend that the current debate is different because it concerns what the governor himself declared in his latest INEC nomination documentation.
The distinction is important: a court ruling concerning the validity or existence of a qualification and an omission or entry on a subsequent electoral form are related but not necessarily identical questions.
‘WHY WERE THE OTHER LEVELS LEFT BLANK?’
The development has nevertheless provided fresh ammunition for political opponents who are demanding greater transparency.
Some have questioned why the form records an MSc in Political Science but leaves the primary and secondary sections as “0000”.
Others have argued that if the governor possesses the underlying certificates, there should be nothing controversial about listing them.
His supporters counter that the law does not necessarily require every academic qualification obtained throughout a candidate’s life to be entered individually where a higher qualification establishes eligibility.
The argument has consequently shifted from “Does Oborevwori have a master’s degree?” to “What exactly was required to be declared on the INEC form, and what supporting documents were submitted?”
POLITICAL BATTLE AHEAD OF 2027
The controversy comes as Oborevwori prepares to seek another term in office under the APC.
His administration has promoted its MORE Agenda as evidence of its performance, highlighting road and bridge construction, workers’ welfare, education, empowerment programmes and security initiatives.
Supporters say the administration has delivered hundreds of projects and argue that Oborevwori should be judged primarily by his performance in office rather than political attacks over his educational history.
Opponents insist that public officials seeking another mandate must be subjected to rigorous scrutiny, particularly concerning information contained in their electoral nomination documents.
For now, the document circulating online has guaranteed one thing: the debate over Sheriff Oborevwori’s educational declarations is unlikely to disappear quietly as Delta State moves toward the 2027 election.
The central question remains whether the “0000” entries under primary and secondary education have any legal significance—or whether, as the governor’s supporters maintain, his declared MSc and accompanying evidence are sufficient to satisfy the requirements for contesting the governorship.
Until the relevant electoral and judicial records are examined in full, the entries on the circulated form should be treated as evidence of what was declared—not conclusive proof of what the governor did or did not study.
