PUSH NEWS 24 INTERNATIONAL: July 15th, 2022
IKORODU 1: OPPOSITION WITHIN BEHIND OGUNLEYE’S CERTIFICATE SCANDAL
The Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming 2023, Ikorodu Constituency 1 elections, Mr Gbolahan Ogunleye is currently been burdened by the need to prove his claims as having graduated from the Lagos State University, Ojo.
Gbolahan who is the son of the APC Apex leader in Ikorodu Division and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye has submitted as part of his credential claims to INEC declaring to have graduated from LASU, a claim which is currently enmeshed in counter claims by some persons due to the assumed discrepancies in the multiple correspondence received from the apex citadel of learning in Lagos State.
Push News 24 International reports that LASU issued two documents. One saying Gbolahan Ogunleye never graduated from LASU and signed by the Deputy Registrar who is the Head of Exams and Records, then another saying the same Gbolahan graduated from LASU and wss signed by the Registrar.
Findings by Push News revealed that the matric number in the first letter, is not present in the second letter. Also, the first letter says that, the original certificate should be sent for further investigations.
Further scrutiny also indicated that the second letter shows, there is a reference to a new letter that was written again, to clarify things.
Amidst all these are reactions from several persons and interested parties.
A key members of the Oga Group who do not want his name on prints said there could have been an administrative flaw on the part of the School but the issues is been blown out of proportion by political opponents within the APC particularly in Ikorodu Central.
Asimiyu Lawal a member of the APC in Ikorodu Central says “this is a distraction by failed and desperate politicians who are bent on subduing the will of the people to choose their preferred candidate.”
An academician by the name Soji Kaseem in his twitter handle said “perhaps, the database of LASU of year 2000 is not the same as the one they use now. So, it could be that, the records were not easily found”.
According to him ” the first letter didn’t provide much details outside of the matric number. The certificate would have been responsible for aiding things.”
A lecturer, who is also a key member of the party in Ikorodu said “The Management of the School Authority (LASU) need to further investigate the matter and issue a clarification notice to the general public. If not such conflicting letters is capable of denting the image of the School. This is a serious matter.”
Mr Asaolu also posited that “This is simply a politically motivated scandal and blemish emanating from the prestigious- reverred citadel of learning.”
One of the leaders of APC in Ikorodu West LCDA who is also a strong suppoter of Ogunleye said ” there is no issue here, even though the first letter written by the registrar in June said there is no record of the fellow graduating from the school, he gave a caveat asking that the fellow visits the head of exams and record with his documents in order for them to be able to conclude the verification and I believe this is what was done and subsequently resulting in exams and records issuing an updated letter in July maybe after they have validated his claims. The registrar clearly insinuated that his letter was not final on the case. It might just the problem of administrative issues in the university”.
While there have been several reactions within the ruling All Progressives Congress pundits have it that if the crises is not properly managed the party may play into the hands of the opposition.
Efforts to reach Hon Gbalahon Ogunleye to hear his own side have not yielded much results as the controversy continues, it is generally believed that the burden of proof is domiciled with the apex institution.
Push News 24 International reports that Hon Gbolahan Ogunleye and his Oga Campaign Group have rained unshaken and they concluded its a mere distraction expected in politics which will soon pass away as the perpetrators making false media claims have been extended the olive branch.
OGA as he is fondly called defeated ither aspirants including the Majority Leader Sanai Agunbiade, who has represented the constituency for almost 16 years. Agunbiade was seeking a fifth return to the Lagos State House of Assembly in a keenly contested primaries.
The primary was held at Ikorodu West Local Council Developmental Area (LCDA) secretariat in Ogolonto
“After the sorting and counting of votes, Gbolahan Ogunleye scored 38 votes, Gafar Bolowotan scored 16 votes, Bolaji Isikalu score one vote while Hon. Sanai Agunbiade scored no vote.” according to the returning Officer.
The Local Government party chairman Mr Waheed Animashaun, commended the electoral process, saying that it was free and fair.
