Ondo 2024: Gov Aiyedatiwa denies possessing questionable academic records

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has refuted claims of having any ‘questionable academic records’ as political activities in the state intensify ahead of the governorship election.

Aiyedatiwa, who is contesting in the November 16 gubernatorial election, stated that he has no certificate scandal in his academic credentials.

He made this assertion on Monday through his campaign organization in a discussion with journalists in Akure, the state capital.

Addressing the issue, the governor, represented by the co-convener of Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organization Foot Soldiers (LACO-FS), Biyi Poroye, invited those uncomfortable with his academic records to seek legal redress.

Aiyedatiwa emphasized that there is no controversy surrounding his academic records, affirming that he is well-qualified to participate and emerge victorious in the governorship race.

“Alleged Certificate Scandal: Various media platforms have circulated sensational stories, insinuating that Governor Aiyedatiwa does not possess a secondary school certificate as claimed in his bio-data. Fortunately, facts speak for themselves.

“Recall that the former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, as part of his educational development efforts, relocated some dilapidated public schools to his newly constructed public schools.

“Therefore, Governor Aiyedatiwa, who stated that he enrolled in Ikosi High School in 1980 and completed his studies in 1982, was correct all along, as he was transferred to that school when he was in Form 3 and graduated from it in 1982, at Form 5,” the governor stated.

He further argued that those questioning his academic records are merely seeking attention to gain political relevance ahead of the governorship election.

“The story of a certificate scandal is not new and raises questions as to why it is gaining traction despite lacking substance. Detractors are creating a fuss over nothing.

“This should dispel the concerns of those wondering how Aiyedatiwa could have entered secondary school in 1980 and graduated in 1982,” Aiyedatiwa emphasized.

Recall that on Saturday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) instructed all governorship aspirants of the party to submit their credentials and documents to its legal department for scrutiny ahead of its primary, rescheduled for April 20.

Governor Aiyedatiwa and 10 other aspirants in the APC have already obtained the governorship nomination form to participate in the exercise.