Ondo Governor reacts as group drags him over certificate forgery scandal

Ondo Governor reacts as group drags him over certificate forgery scandal

The Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Monday debunked a report that he was involved in a certificate forgery scandal, saying the report was the handiwork of some of his political detractors.

Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as the governor of the state on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, following the death of the former governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, who passed away in Germany.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, said in a statement that the report was false and a ploy to distract the governor.

In the statement titled ‘Certificates: the blackmailers are at it again’, Adeniyan described the allegation as false and mischievous

He said, “Our attention has been drawn to the mischievous plans by some political actors to embark on fresh unsubstantiated allegations against the Governor of Ondo State,  Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

“After failing woefully with their attempts to paint the governor in bad light with the stories around the death of the former Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, these desperate elements have resorted to blackmail. The first of such is to use faceless groups and individuals to make allegations of certificate forgery against the governor.

“A governorship aspirant last night held a meeting with some individuals at a popular hotel in Akure where he gave the directive to those present to write stories alleging that the governor used forged certificates to contest election.”

Adeniyan added that the allegation was part of the plot allegedly aimed at discrediting the governor ahead of the  governorship election in the state, saying the credentials of the governor were submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission during the last governorship election in the state.

“Mr. Governor contested on a joint ticket with his former principal in the 2020 governorship election and his credentials were duly submitted to the INEC and they are in public domain.

“Mr. Governor remains committed to delivering on his promises to develop Ondo State and will not be distracted by the shenanigans of shameless politicians and their cronies, “he submitted.

Aiyedatiwa, who became the governor of the state following the death of Akeredolu, recently promised to continue and complete all the projects embarked upon across the state by his former boss.

Before his death, Akeredolu transferred power to Aiyedatiwa via a letter to the state House of Assembly on December 13, 2023, when he was to proceed on medical leave in Germany.

National Periscope recalls that a group under the aegis of Ondo State Redemption Initiative (OSRI), has earlier on Monday accused the Governor, of certificate forgery, adding that he is unfit to lead the state.

This was contained in a statement by its president, Adebayo Ogunsanmi; secretary, Jide Oriola; and publicity secretary, Sunday Ayeni.

The group alleged that Aiyedatiwa’s educational claims have been exposed as fraudulent.

According to the group, Aiyedatiwa’s curriculum vitae indicated that he obtained an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Ibadan in 2001.

However, their investigation revealed that such a diploma was not available at the University of Ibadan in 2001.

The group presented Aiyedatiwa’s academic records, stating that his educational journey commenced at Saint Peter’s UNA (now FAC) Primary School in Obe Nla/Obe Adun, Ilaje Local Government Area (LGA), Ondo State, from 1970 to 1976.

“He pursued his secondary education at Ikosi High School in Ketu, Lagos State, completing it in 1982,” the group said.

“In 1986, Aiyedatiwa achieved his Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Government at Lagos State College of Education (now known as Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education) located in Ijanikin, Lagos.

“He claimed to have earned an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Ibadan in 2001, after which he claimed to have become an alumnus of Lagos Business School – Pan Atlantic University, situated in Lekki, Lagos, though year and course of study were not included,” the group announced.