A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, Gbenga Edema has called on the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to clarify the allegation of certificate forgery against him.
Edema, in a statement by the Gbenga Edema Campaign Organisation’s spokesman, on Sunday, said a police report has indicted Governor Aiyedatiwa of forging a West Africa School Certificate Examination.
However, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Media, Yomi Oyekan, denied the allegation, in a statement, describing it as mischief intending to undermine the credibility and political acceptability of the governor ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
The statement from the Gbenga Edema Campaign Organisation read, “The attention of the Gbenga Edema Campaign Organisation has been drawn to a police report which has gone viral in the last 48 hours in which it was alleged that the WASSCE certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission in the year 2020 by Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa when he ran for the office of the Deputy Governor with the late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, as governor might have been forged after all.
“Some of the questions bothering the mind of the people of Ondo State is whether the school presented candidates for the WASSCE 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 WASSCE examination.
“It is therefore imperative that Governor Ayedatiwa 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.
“Yes, it is often said that silence is golden, but in a situation like this, when you have such weighty allegations hanging on your neck. Silence, as in the instant case, would amount to an admission of all the facts contained in the said report. It is like pleading “guilty” to charges before a magistrate.
“It is in the light of the above that we charge Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa to come out clean so that this whole issue of allegations of certificate forgery can be laid to rest.”
But, the governor’s aide, Oyekan said, “The investigative findings confirmed Governor Aiyedatiwa’s successful completion of his WAEC (GCE) O/Level 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 a 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 have resorted to desperate measures to undermine his standing. Nonetheless, his resilience and integrity remain unscathed, positioning him as the preeminent candidate in the electoral arena.
“In summary, it is imperative to afford Governor Aiyedatiwa the opportunity to continue his commendable governance, while detractors pursue futile attempts to tarnish his reputation.”
