Gov Aiyedatiwa’s alleged certificate forgery and what it means for his guber race, APC chances in Ondo

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State is embroiled in a fierce battle – not just for re-election, but for his political survival.

Accusations of certificate forgery threaten to derail his campaign and cast a shadow over the ruling All Progressive Congress’ chances in November’s polls.

While the police have denied issuing a report on the alleged forgery, a civil society group known as Ondo State Redemption Initiative insists Aiyedatiwa’s educational credentials are fraudulent.

The group’s revelation sparked a whirlwind of controversy within the state, triggering speculations on the possibility of Aiyedatiwa throwing in the towel ahead of the state staggered election.

Reacting to the development, the governor, through his chief press secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan described the group as faceless, asking it to provide verifiable evidence for the claim.

“Forgery is a weighty allegation that nobody can bring without evidence. His documents were screened by the electoral body committee and nobody sued him.” Adeniyan stated.

While the police statement appears to have provided a new direction for both the accusers and the accused, there are indications that the allegation will become a hunting spectre against the governor who is currently working round-the-clock to grab the party ticket and contest the governorship election scheduled for later this year.

Aiyedatiwa, an incumbent governor is one of the 15 aspirants in the All Progressive Congress warming up for the party primary slated for the 25th of April.

Considering his edge over his co-contestants in the State, Aiyedatiwa is in good stead to secure the party ticket and contest the governorship poll.

However, the governor and his co-travellers must pause and ponder to consider the raging allegation of certificate forgery that tends to ruin his emergence as the party flag-bearer and the chances of APC at the main election.

The group which many political observers believe to be aggrieved members within his party has provided a veritable platform for the opposition who are currently waiting by the side to launch a negative campaign against the governor through the certificate scandal if he eventually secured his party ticket.

Also, if Aiyedatiwa wins the party primary, the APC in Ondo state should brace up for litigation both within and outside the party and the Court case may linger beyond expected time, and cause untold distractions for his campaign organisation which may consequently lead to the party failure.

Aiyedatiwa’s scenario regardless of his previous position as a deputy and now incumbent governor may initiate the repeat of the Bayelsa court judgement that cost David Lyon his inauguration as governor after his resounding victory at the 2019 governorship election in the State.

The governor-elect was sacked by court a few hours to his swearing-in after it was fully established by the Supreme court that his running mate, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremieoyo submitted forged certificates to INEC, paving the way for the inauguration of Duoye Diri, the then PDP candidate who came second in the election.

As politics gathers a momentum in Ondo State, there is a need for governor Aiyedatiwa and APC to look inward and put things aright before the blast of political whistle in the State to avoid an impeding pitfall and repeat of Bayelsa saga.