AS the Ogun State Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Dapo Abiodun reel under the allegation of certificate scandal, accusing fingers are being pointed in the direction of Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his supporters for instigating the scandal in his desperate bid to stop Abiodun from succeeding him.
Sources close to the campaign team of Dapo Abiodun said that although he was not bothered about the allegation but was nevertheless surprised at the extent of desperation to stop him from contesting and probably winning 2019
election.
The source who choose to remain anonymous explained to newdawn that those who filed the suit against Prince Dapo
Abiodun were loyalists of Amosun and allegedly led by the former Transition Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Abdul Rafiu Baruwa and his colleagues who were also Transition Chairmen.
“We are aware that they met with the Governor two weeks ago where the plan was hatched and they were given the directive to file the suit.
Prince Dapo Abiodun is not bothered because he has not pleaded any certificate he does not possess “, the source who did not want to be quoted said.
He further explained that more details will be seen in the statement of defense which he said would be filed this week by the candidate and declined further comments.
It will be recalled that Governor Ibikunle Amosun has never hidden the fact that he was against the candidature of Abiodun and had in fact declared that he will work for his preferred candidate, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade who is the candidate of Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Director General of the campaign organization, Prince Segun Adesegun in his reaction said the campaign was not bothered about the move against the candidate.
He said “we are not bothered at all. If it is INEC that causes it, we can be bothered. It is those who want to be known. We have not violated any law.
“For those who took us to court, we shall meet in court. We are not shaken at all. Once we have been taken to court, we will meet at the court.
“If the allegation has come from INEC, that would have been another issue.
“We are not bothered. What concerns us is how to win the election. These are the people that are trying to be known. It is not an issue. We have not violated any law.”
However, the state Attorney General, Mr. Olumide Ayeni, described the whole allegations as tissues of lies.
Said he, “I was lead counsel to the Senator Ibikunle Amosun, CON FCA in the People’s Democratic Party Election Petition challenging the election victory of the Governor at the 2011 Polls where these issues were raised comprehensively and decisively established as false. The Governor indeed earned his MA degree legitimately and his date of birth established documentarily and otherwise as 25th January 1958
I was also lead counsel to Prince Dapo Abiodun in his 2015 Senate election petition against Senator Buruji Kashamu of the PDP. We won at the Tribunal but were reversed at the Court of Appeal at Ibadan. The issue of qualifications of Prince Dapo Abiodun never arose
It is not difficult to see the tit for tat kind of dirty politics at play and I submit that mudslinging of this kind of “adiye da mi ni oogun nu, ma fo ni eyin” ought to stop in the wider interest of our people. In my own case, my conscience and professional decency will preclude me from standing by why we banter untruths in the name of dirty politics as this is not what democracy is all about. Politics and service should be hinged on honor, sacrifice, and truthfulness if we must have a good society.”
