A group, Gbenga Edema Campaign Organisation, has accused Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, of submitting a fake West African Examinations Council (WAEC) certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) while vying for the office of the deputy governor of the state.
Aiyedatiwa contested alongside late former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who was then seeking a second term in office in 2020.
He later succeeded Akeredolu following the death of the former governor in December 2023.
However, the group, in a statement made available to The Star on Sunday, March 3, 2024, alleged that the WAEC certificate Aiyedatiwa submitted to INEC was forged.
The Olugbenga Edema Campaign Organisation, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Olabanji Orogbemi, said from the findings of a police report, it was discovered that “Ikosi High School, Ketu, Lagos State was established in the year 1980 and had its first admission of students in January 1980;
“That looking at the register of the school from 1979-1982, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s name was not listed in the said register during the period under review.
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“That the school was accredited to present students for the WASCE examination in the year 1985.”
The group added: “Some of the questions bothering the mind of the people of Ondo State is whether the school presented candidates for the WASCE examination in the year 1981, 1983 and 1984 preceding the year 1985 when the school authorities confirmed to the police that they presented their first set of students for the WASCE examination.
“It is therefore imperative that Governor Aiyedatiwa responds to these weighty allegations, knowing that the police report has raised a prima facie evidence and that the content therein is correct unless and until rebutted by cogent and credible evidence.”
In his reaction, Governor Aiyedatiwa said he completed his secondary school education at Ikosi in the Ketu area of Lagos State.
The governor made this known via a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Digital Media, Yomi Oyekan.
Oyekan stated: “The investigative findings confirm Governor Aiyedatiwa’s successful completion of his WAEC (GCE) O/L examination at Ikosi Ketu, Lagos, supported by tangible evidence. This verification unequivocally resolves any uncertainties regarding his eligibility for electoral contests.
“Despite mentions of discrepancies regarding his educational background, such inconsistencies do not invalidate his possession of the minimum requirement – a valid O/Level certificate or its equivalent. Legally speaking, meeting this criterion suffices, irrespective of minor factual deviations.
“The relentless scrutiny and orchestrated advertisements from opposing factions only serve to underscore Governor Aiyedatiwa’s influential stature in Ondo State politics.
“His credentials and proven track record stand as testament to his competence, reminiscent of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s encounters with certificate-related controversies.
“As Governor Aiyedatiwa remains steadfast in his duties and reelection endeavours, his adversaries resort to desperate measures to undermine his standing. Nonetheless, his resilience and integrity remain unscathed, positioning him as the preeminent candidate in the electoral arena.”
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