By Damilare Adeleye
Govermor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has raised alarm over alleged plot by blackmailers to accuse him of certificate forgery ahead of governorship election in the State.
In a statement made available on Monday, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, said the plot is aimed at discrediting the Governor’s credentials.
The CPS alleged a governorship aspirant held a night meeting with some individuals at a popular hotel in Akure where he directed those present to write stories alleging that the Governor used forged certificates to contest election.
He, however, added that Aiyedatiwa, who contested in a joint ticket with his former principal in the 2020 governorship election, had credentials duly submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and are in public domain.
The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to the mischievous plans by some political actors to embark on fresh unsubstantiated allegations against the Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
“After failing woefully with their attempts to paint the Governor in bad light with the stories around the death of the former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, these desperate elements have resorted to blackmail.
“The first of such is to use faceless groups and individuals to make allegations of certificate forgery against the Governor.
“A governorship aspirant last night held a meeting with some individuals at a popular hotel in Akure where he gave the directive to those present to write stories alleging that the Governor used forged certificates to contest election.
“It is important to alert members of the public to this plot which is aimed at discrediting Mr. Governor ahead of the coming governorship election in the State.
“Mr. Governor contested in a joint ticket with his former principal in the 2020 governorship election and his credentials were duly submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and those are in public domain.
“Any attempt to raise allegations around the credentials of Mr. Governor is nothing but a plot out of the playbook of those who failed in their efforts to impeach him when he was Deputy Governor.
“Mr. Governor remains committed to delivering on his promises to develop Ondo State and will not be distracted by the shenanigans of shameless politicians and their cronies.”