In response to recent allegations of certificate forgery against Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, released a statement on Monday dismissing the claims as false and politically motivated.
Adeniyan asserted that these allegations, aimed at discrediting the governor ahead of the November 16, 2024, governorship poll in Ondo State, are a desperate attempt by political enemies who failed to achieve the governor’s impeachment.
According to Adeniyan, a governorship aspirant orchestrated a meeting at a popular hotel in Akure, instructing individuals present to fabricate stories suggesting that Governor Aiyedatiwa used forged certificates during his election.
The Chief Press Secretary urged the public to be aware of this plot and emphasized that the governor’s credentials were duly submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2020 governorship election, and are publicly available.
Adeniyan said, “A governorship aspirant last night held a meeting with some individuals at a popular hotel in Akure where he gave the directive to those present to write stories alleging that the Governor used forged certificates to contest election,” Adeniyan said.
“It is important to alert members of the public to this plot which is aimed at discrediting Mr. Governor ahead of the coming 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 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and those are in public domain.”
While acknowledging the current somber mood in the state due to the recent death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa’s ambitious move towards the 2024 governorship poll has faced skepticism.
Nevertheless, with INEC already setting the date for the Ondo State Governorship Poll on November 16, 2024, Aiyedatiwa, constitutionally permitted to run, has the potential to extend his governance beyond completing Akeredolu’s second term in February 2025 – depending on the electorate’s decision.