The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over what it described as the suspicious academic credentials of Senator Uche Ekwunife, alleging that she presented a fake PhD certificate from Atlantic International University (AIU).
The party claimed that AIU, the institution from which Ekwunife reportedly obtained her doctorate, is currently being prosecuted by the Office of Consumer Protection in the State of Hawaii for operating a fraudulent academic scheme. APGA expressed concern that such a certificate could be submitted under oath as part of documentation for public office.
In its statement, the party questioned why the senator, who is expected to meet the minimum academic requirement to contest elections, would present a certificate from an institution flagged as illegitimate in its home country. It further noted the senator’s failure to present evidence of a first-degree qualification, a detail it said casts even more doubt on her academic credentials.
APGA urged INEC to investigate the senator’s academic records thoroughly and reject any certificates originating from unaccredited institutions. The party emphasized that addressing such concerns is critical to protecting the integrity of the nation’s democratic process.
“This is not just a case of individual misrepresentation,” the party said. “It represents a dangerous trend that must be addressed decisively to preserve the credibility of our electoral system. Fake qualifications have no place in public office.”
