Politics

Exposed! Aiyedatiwa in certificate forgery scandal

A social-political group, the Ondo State Redemption Initiative (OSRI) has accused the Governor of Ondo State, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa of certificate forgery unworthy to lead the State.

The group, in a statement by its President, Pastor Adebayo Ogunsanmi, Secretay Jide Oriola, and Publicity Secretary, Sunday Ayeni said Aiyedatiwa’s educational claims have been exposed as a fraud.

According to the group, Aiyedatiwa, in his resume, claimed to have acquired an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Ibadan in 2001.

However, they said checks have proved that an Advanced diploma in business administration was not available at the University of Ibadan as of 2001.

According to his academic records, Aiyedatiwa’s educational journey began at Saint Peter’s UNA (now FAC) Primary School in Obe Nla/Obe Adun, Ilaje LGA, Ondo State, where he attended from 1970 to 1976. He then pursued his secondary education at Ikosi High School in Ketu, Lagos, completing it in 1982.

In 1986, Aiyedatiwa achieved his Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Government at Lagos State College of Education (now known as Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education) located in Ijanikin, Lagos.

He claimed to have earned an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Ibadan in 2001, after which he claimed to have become an alumnus of Lagos Business School – Pan Atlantic University, situated in Lekki, Lagos, though year and course of study were not included.

He further claimed to have obtained a Post Graduate Certification in Chief Executive Education (CEP) in Business Management, after which he received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Liverpool in the UK, in 2013.

The group said these academic records were not true and warned the APC leaders against fielding a candidate with questionable academic records.

However, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan said those who accused the Governor of forgery should come up with evidence.

His words “forgery is a weighty allegations, nobody should bring that allegation without evidence. His documents were screen by the electoral body committee and nobody sued him and why some people are saying all this now?

“The man was elected over three years ago and nobody wrote anything against him that he forged certificate, now because he has become the governor they were now accusing him of certificate forgery. This group should provide evidence of this certificate forgery against him.

“I can’t react to something like this not until I see the evidence, if they had brought the evidence now, I can proceed to ask the governor himself. But they are not bringing any evidence forward so this kind of story should not be used by any media organization.

“This group are faceless, you can’t find them on Facebook or at the registry of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), they have no identity, we are not saying people should not do campaign and we cannot stop it. But when people brought an allegation, they should come with evidence. This group should bring their evidence, but if they can’t bring the evidence, I can’t react to that.”

Politics

APC suspends Petroleum Minister, Lokpobiri

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has suspended the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, along with its 2019 Bayelsa governorship candidate, David Lyon, due to alleged anti-party activities.

Alongside Lokpobiri and Lyon, several prominent figures were also suspended, including Commissioner for Power Kharim Kumoko, Commissioner for Lands and Survey Peres Biewari, former APC state chairman Jothan Amos, NEC ex-officio member Godbless Diriwari, and Southern Ijaw APC Youth Leader Sabi Morgan.

These suspensions came after a disciplinary review by the party’s leadership in Bayelsa State.

During the announcement in Yenagoa, Mitin Eniekenemi Senator, the APC Chairman for Ekeremor Local Government Area, accused Lokpobiri of leading factions and collaborating with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, following his unsuccessful bid for the APC governorship ticket in 2019.

He claimed that Lokpobiri and his supporters actively backed Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri and the PDP in the 2023 election, receiving appointments and contracts as rewards.

“In the 2023 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, he led a group of disgruntled party members to openly support and work for Gov. Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party and was compensated by the PDP-led government of Bayelsa State”, he said.

He continued, “His personal aide, Kharim Kumoko, was nominated by the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri and appointed as the current Commissioner for Power in Bayelsa State.

“It is on record that since the day he was appointed as minister, he has been fighting the party in Bayelsa State and has refused to make peace despite all entreaties.”

Similarly, the APC Southern Ijaw LGA leadership, led by Ebikazi Gbefa, announced the suspension of David Lyon and seven others for undermining APC’s National Assembly candidates and conspiring with the PDP in the 2023 governorship race.

Gbefa said “The same set of stakeholders and their supporters openly worked against our National Assembly candidates” pointing out that they also worked for Diri and the PDP in the 2023 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

“Some of them were compensated with contracts and appointments. For example, Perepuighe Biewari who was Chief David Lyon’s Personal Assistant, was nominated by Chief David Lyon and appointed as the current Commissioner for Lands and Survey in the Gov. Douye Diri administration in Bayelsa State.”

Politics

Former Osun PDP chieftain, Babalola officially joins APC

A former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State, Peter Babalola, has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

This is as Babalola promised to leverage his political influence to strengthen the APC, particularly in the Irewole local government area and throughout the Osun West Senatorial district.

Speaking during his formal reception into the APC by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, in Ikire, Babalola vowed to secure total victory for the APC in the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

“I have instructed my supporters across all 30 local government areas and 332 wards in Osun State to register as APC members,” he said.

The former Osun Chief of Staff also warned the officials of the Ademola Adeleke administration against attempting to manipulate the system in favour of the PDP in the upcoming local government elections.

Babalola hinted that the national chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, would soon visit Osogbo to officially welcome him into the party.

Representing the Minister, the APC State Secretary, Alao Kamorudeen, expressed confidence that the party would achieve a landslide victory in the forthcoming local government elections, as well as in future national elections.

“Party members need to rally behind the leadership and support their candidates in ensuring comprehensive success in the elections.

“Be assured that the APC-led administration remains committed to providing strong leadership, particularly in rural areas. Our members should begin mobilising immediately,” he said.

He encouraged party members to return to their respective political wards to register and make their presence felt.

Senatorial leaders and party members from the 30 local government areas comprising Osun West Senatorial district were present to officially welcome Peter Babalola into the state APC fold.

Peter Babalola, former Chairman, Governing Council of the Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun, DAILY POST recalled was suspended from the ward executives of the PDP in Irewole local government in August.

Prior to his suspension, Babalola also tendered his letter of resignation from the PDP.

Politics

Kogi electoral commission expresses readiness for LG polls

The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission, (KOSIEC) says it is fully ready for the local government election slated for 19th October 2024.

The Chairman of the Commission, Mamman Nda Eri, stated this when he received in audience the Kogi State Executive of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in his office in Lokoja.

Eri assured all political parties participating in the local government election of an equal, fair and just playing field for all contestants.

He said the Commission’s mandate is to make sure that the outcome of the election represents the wishes of Kogites irrespective of political affiliations.

“All that is needed for a successful exercise has been provided and distributions of non-sensitive materials would commence soon.

“I am appealing for the support and cooperation of the NUJ in the state in the coverage of the council polls. Journalists should verify results from the Commission before publication,” he said.

On security, the chairman assured that adequate provisions have been made for staff, journalists, observers and all relevant stakeholders in the election.

He commended the leadership of the Kogi State Council of the NUJ and the members for their forthrightness in discharging their constitutional mandate.

Earlier in his remarks, the Kogi State NUJ chairman, Alhaji Ademu Seidu Haruna, said the visit was to create a synergy with the Commission ahead of the election.

He called for level playing field for all aspirants in the election.

The NUJ chairman equally assured of the readiness of members of the union to perform their constitutional mandate and support the Commission to succeed in the task ahead.