In the midst of swirling allegations regarding the authenticity of his academic certificates, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has been cleared by the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening committee.
The clearance came ahead of the party’s governorship primary scheduled for April 20.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, who recently purchased the APC’s N50 million nomination forms, has been embroiled in controversies with several party aspirants. These disputes gained traction following a petition by attorney Oladotun Hassan, who alerted authorities about potential tampering with an ongoing investigation into Aiyedatiwa’s educational credentials.
Addressing the media at the APC national secretariat after his screening, Governor Aiyedatiwa remarked, “Screening is a standard procedure for all aspirants, and I was no exception. All my submitted documents were thoroughly verified. Any unclear aspects were clarified, and I am pleased to announce that all doubts concerning my certificates have been resolved. They are indeed genuine and authentic.”
The governor also touched upon his educational background, citing historical changes in the educational system during Lateef Jakande’s tenure as governor of Lagos State, which affected his schooling.
Amidst these assertions, another gubernatorial hopeful, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, openly challenged Aiyedatiwa’s record, boasting about his own unblemished academic credentials and questioning the incumbent’s achievements. “The governor is riding on past endorsements and lacks substantial achievements of his own. I am confident that the upcoming primary will reveal the true choice of the party members,” Ibrahim stated.
In parallel to addressing these controversies, Governor Aiyedatiwa has also been proactive in state governance, recently inaugurating 12 new commissioners. These officials, approved by the state Assembly, are tasked with various portfolios aimed at enhancing the administration’s efficiency and responsiveness to the needs of Ondo State residents.
