Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has refuted a report alleging his involvement in a certificate forgery scandal, describing it as false and a tactic employed by his political detractors. Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as governor on December 27, 2023, following the death of the former governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor’s office dismissed the allegation as mischievous and an attempt to distract the governor. Adeniyan explained that the governor’s political adversaries were resorting to blackmail after their previous attempts to tarnish his image failed.
According to the statement, a governorship aspirant held a meeting instructing individuals to write stories alleging certificate forgery against Aiyedatiwa. The governor’s office dismissed the claim as part of a plot to discredit him ahead of the upcoming governorship election in the state.
The statement emphasized that Aiyedatiwa’s credentials were duly submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2020 governorship election, and they are publicly available. It reiterated the governor’s commitment to delivering on his promises for the development of Ondo State and stated that he would not be swayed by the tactics of politicians and their associates.
Aiyedatiwa assumed the role of governor after Akeredolu transferred power to him before embarking on medical leave in Germany. The governor has pledged to continue and complete the projects initiated by his predecessor across the state.