ONDO: Former Lawmaker, Adeogun Speaks on Gov Aiyedatiwa’s Alleged Certificate Scandal, Other Issues

Former member of the house of representatives, honourable Ade Adeogun has shared his thoughts on the allegation of certificate scandal against the governor of Ondo state, honourable lucky Aiyedatiwa, and other recent related developments in the state.

While speaking on an Orange f.m radio Interview, on the allegation of certificate forgery, Adeogun said the Nigerian constitution requirement for anyone to be eligible for the office of the governor is primary six certificate and ten years working experience, and that since it has not been amended, the allegations do not hold water, except they are saying he didn’t finish primary school.

“You will have to remember that governor Masari, who was speaker of the house of representatives and later because governor of Katsina state does not have secondary school education. His primary school certificate was all he had and presented, and that was what qualified him to contest both elections. so except they are saying governor Aiyedatiwa did not finish primary school and doesn’t have a ten years working experience, then they will have an issue, outside that, I don’t think there is any issues.”

On what he expects from the people of Ondo state, following Aiyedatiwa’s coming into office as governor after the passing of his predecessor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, he said:

“Let me first use this opportunity to offer my condolences to the people of Ondo, state government and family of the late governor ”

“The absence of governance in the state was for a long time, but the focus now, rather than dwell on the past, should be to unite the people and pray for the new governor to offer the best for the People.”

He cautioned against dwelling on negativities but to focus on correcting issues such as local government funds not getting to them and other errors that were made in the dark days of the last governor.
While speaking on accusations against the governor about not attending the 8th day prayer of the late former governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, he said:

“I’m aware that the late governor was a Christian and I’m aware as a Yoruba man from Ondo state that 8th day prayer is not part of the funeral rites of Christians. It’s a Muslim thing. I’ve seen pictures, I’ve read about it, the immediate family members of the governor were not even in attendance”.

He said the position that Aiyedatiwa is holding is the same that late Adekunle Ajasin, Olusegun Agagu, Olusegun Mimiko held, frowning at why some people want to reduce the new governor’s position to that of a Pall Bearer.

On not receiving Akeredolu’s remains at the Lagos airport, he said:

“For Christ sake, he’s governor and there’s no protocol that says he should go to the airport to receive the remains of a deceased governor.”

” I’m saying this with all honesty because there are precedents. Yar’adua died, I didn’t see Goodluck Jonathan going to receive his corpse or even attending his burial. Abacha died in office, the successor was not even in Kano to receive his corpse or be at the funeral.”

He also cited examples at state level of what transpired in Yobe state when the governor died.

The lawmaker said things that are not important should not be the focus.

Adeogun called for patience on the part of ondo state residents to support the new governor for good governance to thrive.

During the interview, he also commented on the BBC released video of testimonies against the late prophet from Arigidi Akoko, TB Joshua, saying that the man is not in a position to defend himself. He added that people should leave him to God.

“I never met TB Joshua in life but he was a fantastic philanthropist in Akoko . Akoko people respect him because his philanthropy touched lives in Akoko. I never saw his church as a place I’ll go to worship but I did see the business side of his church and I wanted in his lifetime for him to bring one of his mountains to Akoko, so that all the visiting presidents will come to Ondo state. My focus is on the business side ,not on the spiritual side “. He added.

While commenting on the situation of things in the country, the former lawmaker said ” Nigerians must have hope, even though they may not have visible achievements now.

He said ” We’ve been in darkness but it’s almost dawn”

While concluding, Adeogun urged Nigerians to trust in the renewed hope agenda of president Tinubu and that with time, all will be well.