Aiyedatiwa, responding to recent allegations of academic certificate forgery, assured the All Progressives Congress screening committee for the upcoming Ondo State governorship election that his credentials are indeed authentic.
Addressing the committee on Friday, Aiyedatiwa became the first aspirant to be cleared ahead of the party’s gubernatorial primary scheduled for April 20. Despite facing challenges from other aspirants within the APC ranks in the state, including Wale Akinterinwa, Mayowa Akinfolarin, Prof Francis Faduyile, Isaacs Kekemeke, Chief Olusola Oke (SAN), Gbenga Edema, and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Aiyedatiwa emphasized the legitimacy of his qualifications.
The controversy surrounding his credentials stemmed from a petition filed by legal practitioner Oladotun Hassan to the Inspector General of Police and the Police Service Commission, alleging potential tampering with ongoing investigations into the governor’s academic certificates by a high-ranking officer.
However, following his screening, Aiyedatiwa addressed reporters at the APC national secretariat, stating, “All documents submitted have been verified, and any unclear aspects were thoroughly addressed by the screening committee. Today, I have been cleared, particularly regarding the petition questioning the authenticity of my certificates. It has now been resolved – my credentials are genuine and unquestionable.”
He attributed the allegations to political mischief, suggesting that rival aspirants sought to discredit him due to his perceived frontrunner status in the race. Aiyedatiwa concluded by reaffirming the legitimacy of his educational background, noting that challenges, such as school mergers overseen by the late Governor Lateef Jakande of Lagos, may have led to misconceptions regarding his academic history.
“As a student of history, you will recall that in 1989 when Lateef Jakande became governor of Lagos State, private schools were taken over, and schools were built for the communities. Ikosi High School, which I attended, is one of those schools established by the government of Lateef Jakande,” he explained.
“The school was founded in 1980, and by then, I was already in Form three in a private school, New Nation, in Ikosi. Royal Comprehensive High School is located in Ajegunle Ikorudu, very close to Ketu,” he added.
In response, another aspirant, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, mocked the governor while displaying his academic and award certificates to journalists at the screening.
“As you can see, all my credentials and certificates are complete. What has Aiyedatiwa achieved? He was just a protege of Aketi. We didn’t vote for him; it was Aketi we voted for. But I can assure you, the governor is a huge joker. He can’t continue in government with his alleged grades. The governor will be out of that place by the time we finish the APC primary next week. He is gone, and there is nothing he can do about it.
“I don’t normally go against people. Left alone to me, clear everybody and let them go for the primary. Let the electorate decide. I have won the election as a senator. I won in all six local governments, 65 of the 66 wards, and secured 111,677 votes compared to Agboola Ajayi’s 60,000 votes.”
Meanwhile, Governor Aiyedatiwa has sworn in the 12 newly appointed commissioners in the state, urging them to be diligent in their respective portfolios.
The governor had previously submitted the names of the 12 aides to the state House of Assembly for screening and approval. Their inauguration followed the assembly’s endorsement of their nominations.
