LUCKY AYEDATIWA’S CERTIFICATE SAGA (IKOSIGATE#)

LUCKY AYEDATIWA’S CERTIFICATE SAGA (IKOSIGATE#)

News by AYEKOOTO OSHA 

In the lead-up to the 2020 governorship election in Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki's political opponent, led by Williams Edobor, accused him of certificate forgery. 

Obaseki, confident in his credentials, promptly wrote to the University of Ibadan, his alma mater, to verify his academic record. The University swiftly confirmed the authenticity of his results, validating his claim.

Similarly, during the 2023 Presidential Election Tribunal, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu faced a similar challenge. His alma mater, Chicago State University in the United States, unequivocally verified his attendance, dispelling any doubts about his credentials.

Now, in Ondo State, a comparable controversy has arisen. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa stands accused of forging his West African Examination Council (WAEC) result, which he submitted during the 2020 governorship election as the running mate to the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN.

One might have expected Aiyedatiwa to follow the precedent set by others in similar situations to clear his name. However, instead of taking that path, we only witnessed a mere press statement from the police spokesperson attempting to discredit a certified police report indicating discrepancies in Aiyedatiwa's certificates.

To clear himself of this forgery allegation, Aiyedatiwa must emulate Obaseki's approach by requesting WAEC to authenticate his result and visiting Ikosi High School to confirm his attendance, much like how Chicago State University confirmed President Tinubu's attendance. 

Failure to take these steps before the APC screening committee begins sitting could indicate that Aiyedatiwa's certificate is indeed problematic. The party must exercise caution in clearing him to avoid a situation similar to the 2019 Bayelsa State incident.