Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has vehemently denied allegations of academic certificate forgery leveled against him. In a recent screening by the All Progressives Congress (APC) committee for the upcoming governorship election in the state, Aiyedatiwa asserted the authenticity of his credentials, becoming the first aspirant to be cleared for the party’s primary.
The governor, who purchased the party’s N50 million governorship nomination forms, has faced scrutiny from other aspirants within the APC, including Wale Akinterinwa, Mayowa Akinfolarin, and Chief Olusola Oke (SAN), among others. The controversy surrounding his credentials stemmed from a petition filed by a legal practitioner, Oladotun Hassan, alleging potential tampering with the investigation into Aiyedatiwa’s academic certificates.
Addressing journalists after the screening, Aiyedatiwa confidently stated, “My certificates are genuine and authentic. Any insinuations otherwise are merely attempts by rival aspirants to discredit me.” He also clarified the circumstances surrounding his education, citing the merger of schools by former Lagos Governor Lateef Jakande as a reason for discrepancies in his academic history.
However, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, another aspirant, openly challenged Aiyedatiwa during the screening, flaunting his own academic and award certificates. Ibrahim accused the governor of riding on the coattails of late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and questioned his qualifications for office.
Despite the controversy, Governor Aiyedatiwa proceeded to inaugurate 12 newly appointed commissioners in the state, urging them to fulfill their duties diligently. The appointments followed approval from the state House of Assembly, signaling a new chapter in the administration’s leadership.
As the political landscape in Ondo State heats up with the approaching APC primary, the battle for the governorship seat intensifies. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds, and the electorate prepares to make their voices heard in the upcoming election.
