By Jubril Bada

Says Gov didn’t forge certificate

Ahead of its Saturdsy April 20 governorship primary in Ondo state, the All Progressives Congress, APC Vetting Committee, has cleared 16 aspirants who obtained nomination forms and faced the party’s Screening Committee.

The aspirants are; the incumbent Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa; Chief Olusola Oke, SAN, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim; Wale Akinterinwa; Ifeoluwa Oyedele; Prince Diran Iyantan, Olugbenga Edema; former President of Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Francis Faduyile; Dr Funmi Waheed-Adekojo and the APC National Vice Chairman (SouthWest), Isaacs Kekemeke.

Others include, Akinfolarin Mayowa; Olusoji Ehinlanwo; Jimi Odimayo; Gen. Ohunyeye Olamide; Mr.Morayo Lebi and Tunji Light Ariyomo.

The Vetting Committee also affirmed that Governor Aiyedatiwa did not forge his WAEC certificate as alleged  by an aspirant.

Professor Abdulkarim Kana, Chairman of the Vetting Committee made the clarification in a statement.

 The Committee cautioned the aspirants to desist from making unfounded allegations that could undermine the credibility of the party primaries. 

The Committee explained that its recommendations are aimed at ensuring that only qualified and credible aspirants are presented for the party primaries, in line with the party’s commitment to internal democracy and good governance.

The statement said, “The Committee received a petition from Gbenga Omogbemi Edema, one of the aspirants, alleging certificate forgery against Gov. Orimisan Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Copy attached as Annexure A).

“The Committee decided to verify the School Certificate allegedly forged by checking online from the website of the West Africa Examination Council (the WAEC Scratch Card attached as Annexure B).

“The Committee found no credible evidence to substantiate the allegation of certificate forgery against Orimisan Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The committee verified Governor Aiyedatiwa’s WAEC Result and confirmed it is genuine and in compliance with the party’s guidelines (the Result is attached as Annexure C).

“The Committee therefore urges all aspirants to desist from making unfounded allegations that could undermine the credibility of the party primaries.

“Based on the findings of the vetting process, the committee recommends the following: All aspirants are cleared to participate in the Screening Exercises.

“The Vetting Committee is confident that the vetting process has been conducted with integrity and transparency. The Committee’s recommendations are aimed at ensuring that only qualified and credible aspirants are presented for the party primaries, in line with the party’s commitment to internal democracy and good governance.”

APC had opted for direct primary to pick its gubernatorial candidate ahead of the November governorship poll.

The aspirants had last week submitted their nomination forms at the party’s National Secretariat, Abuja.