Ondo State Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has vehemently denied being involved in a certificate forgery scandal, dismissing the report as the machination of political detractors. The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Ebenezer Adeniyan, released a statement on Monday, labeling the allegations as false and a deliberate attempt to distract the new governor.
According to the statement, an unnamed governorship aspirant is purportedly behind the forgery claim. Governor Aiyedatiwa assumed office less than two weeks ago, being sworn in on December 27, 2023, following the passing of his predecessor, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who succumbed to a prolonged battle with prostate cancer.
Before his ascension to the governorship, Aiyedatiwa served as the acting governor, contending with an impeachment plot initiated by the state House of Assembly, allegedly loyal to the late Akeredolu. His recent rise to power has witnessed resignations from some of Akeredolu’s loyalists in the cabinet.
In a statement titled ‘Certificates: the blackmailers are at it again,’ Aiyedatiwa’s aide refuted the forgery allegations, branding them as false and mischievous. The statement revealed that the governorship aspirant orchestrated a meeting at a popular hotel in Akure, directing individuals to concoct stories of certificate forgery against the governor.
The aide emphasized that the accusations were part of a larger plot aimed at discrediting Governor Aiyedatiwa in the run-up to the upcoming September governorship election in the state.
“Mr. Governor contested in a joint ticket with his former principal in the 2020 governorship election, and his credentials were duly submitted to the INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission), and they are in the 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,” stated Adeniyan.
The governor’s office maintains its focus on governance and development initiatives, dismissing the allegations as baseless attempts to tarnish the reputation of Governor Aiyedatiwa.
