ADVERTISEMENT
  • The Membership Club
  • PT Hausa
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
Sunday, April 18, 2021
Premium Times Nigeria
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
Premium Times Nigeria
BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Adedapo Abiodun [Photo: PLATFORM TIMES]

Adedapo Abiodun [Photo: PLATFORM TIMES]

Ogun APC governorship candidate Dapo Abiodun in certificate scandal, risks disqualification

bySamuel Ogundipe
December 15, 2018
3 min read

Adedapo Abiodun, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, has been caught in a messy scandal that could see him disqualified as the flag-bearer of the ruling party in the February 2019 gubernatorial election.

Mr Abiodun, a renowned oil and gas executive from Ijebu Remo, is facing allegations that he evaded national service after graduating from the university in the 1980s, and claimed in his nomination form that he does not have a university degree in order to deceive his party and the Independent National Electoral Commission, according to court filings seen by PREMIUM TIMES.

Documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES also showed that Mr Abiodun made conflicting academic claims in his INEC filings when he ran for Senate in 2015 and as a governorship candidate this year.

Mr Abiodun was declared winner of the 2018 governorship primaries in Ogun State in October.

His emergence sparked a bitter and unending confrontation between the leadership of the APC led by Adams and Ibikunle Amosun, the governor of Ogun State.

Mr Amosun, also of the APC, strongly contested Mr Abiodun’s candidacy, and vowed last week that he would work against the candidate in 2019.

Although Mr Amosun remained in the APC, his favoured successor has abandoned the party with other topshots to test their ambitions elsewhere.

Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State [Photo: The Guardian Nigeria]
Former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun [Photo: The Guardian Nigeria]

Mr Abiodun, however, insisted that the governor would have no choice but to remain in APC and work towards his emergence.

A bigger battle

But while Mr Amosun’s stiff resistance to Mr Abiodun’s ambition may be considered too daunting to surmount, the latest revelations about the candidate’s failure to take part in the youth service and misrepresentation of himself before INEC appear to have the bigger potential to undo him.

RelatedNews

In Lagos, traffic robbers run amok in broad daylight

INVESTIGATIONS: Inside the deadly herders-farmers crises in Ogun, worsened by ‘compromised’ soldiers

Groups identify Nigeria’s major impediment to meeting family planning targets

Lekki Tollgate Shooting: At least 10 people killed – Witness

This is primarily because the APC has indicated in September that it would not condone any member who failed to serve the country after finishing from the university.

APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole Photo: DailyPost
APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole Photo: DailyPost

The party asserted its zero tolerance for NYSC deflection when it disqualified communications minister Adebayo Shittu late September.

A week earlier, PREMIUM TIMES had exposed Mr Shittu’s failure to serve after graduating from the university in the 1970s.

Dangote adbanner 728x90_2 (1)

A spokesperson for the APC did not return requests for comments on whether or not the party would equally disqualify Mr Abiodun or wait for the court to do so.

Making the case

Adesina Baruwa, who filed the suit against Mr Abiodun at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, argued the politician should be disqualified for claiming in his INEC form that he does not have a university degree.

Supporting documents
5
1
2
3
4
12
11
13
6
7
8
9

The litigant said the politician clearly violated both the electoral law and the NYSC law, which respectively prohibited filing false claims and failure to take part in youth service after graduation before age 30.

Mr Abiodun was born on May 29, 1960. He had concluded his primary education in 1971 and his secondary education in 1978.

Mr Abidion said in his 2015 INEC filings that he obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1989, meaning he graduated at 29 and should have honoured a call-up for the NYSC.

It is even possible that the politician had a degree before 2019 — a website said he obtained a degree in civil engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, although no year was stated.

ADVERTISEMENT

But Mr Abiodun’s official profile on the website of Heyden, perhaps his most famous and successful business, also confirmed he obtained degrees in engineering and accounting.

APC National Secretariat in Abuja
APC National Secretariat in Abuja

But in his latest submission to INEC for his 2019 governorship run, Mr Abiodun did not disclose his university degree, claiming high school as his highest academic qualification.

Mr Abiodun seemed to have learnt from the scandals involving Mr Shittu and the former finance minister Kemi Adeosun, who resigned her position after PREMIUM TIMES revealed she forged a certificate to claim she was exempted from the youth service.

The NYSC law requires every Nigerian who attended university or polytechnic to participate in the national youth scheme for one year after graduation, provided the person finished before age 30.

Failure to serve would prohibit such individual from gainful employment in Nigeria, and making false claims about serving could attract long jail term.

Also, anyone who graduated before 30 but deliberately declined to serve has committed an offence that could attract imprisonment, even if the person did not forge NYSC documents.

Only a person who obtained a degree after 30 or served in the military or won national honours medal would qualify for exemption certificate under the NYSC law.

INEC office signpost
INEC office signpost

Having earned a bachelor’s degree at 29, assuming the account degree of 1989 was his first, Mr Abiodun, in conformity with Section 2 of the NYSC Act, should have participated in the year-long national service. He will not be qualified for exemption under the law..

Mr Baruwa said Mr Abiodun has violated the electoral law and the NYSC Act by filing false claims and should be disqualified.

A spokesperson for INEC did not immediately return requests seeking comments.

Mr Abiodun did not also return calls and text messages seeking comments for this story.

  • WhatsApp
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
  • Telegram
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket

Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility

Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.

For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.

By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.

Donate


TEXT AD: To advertise here . Call Willie +2347088095401...


JOIN THE CONVERSATION

  • Disqus (49)
premiumtimes



PT Mag Campaign AD

Previous Post

Charly Boy remarries wife of 40 years

Next Post

FACT-CHECK: The Truths, half-truths and lies presented at Nigerian vice presidential debate

Samuel Ogundipe

Samuel Ogundipe

Samuel Ogundipe is a general assignment reporter at PREMIUM TIMES. At various times, he has covered the Presidency, National Assembly and Defence. Twitter: @SamuelOgundipe

More News

telecoms mast

How telecom mast is causing distress to Badagry family

April 18, 2021
Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola. [PHOTO CREDIT: Official Twitter handle of Mr Oyetola @GboyegaOyetola]

EXCLUSIVE: Controversy in Osun as Oyetola appoints Attorney-General’s wife personal assistant to husband

April 18, 2021
COVID-19 vaccination [PHOTO CREDIT: @UNICEF_Nigeria]

COVID-19 vaccination, malaria eradication, other major health stories published last week

April 18, 2021
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. [PHOTO CREDIT: @Kwankwaso.org]

PDP suspends Kwankwaso over disruption of zonal congress

April 18, 2021
Zamfara State map

How 20 died in reprisal attacks between bandits, vigilante groups in Zamfara

April 18, 2021
FILE: Traffic gridlock at Mile12 on Ikorodu Road in Lagos on Thursday (2/8/18).

In Lagos, traffic robbers run amok in broad daylight

April 18, 2021
Next Post
From left: Umar Gesto of Young Progressives Party (YPP); Peter Obi of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Yemi Osinbajo of All Progressives Congress (APC); Khadija Abdullahi of Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN); and Ganiyu Galadima of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), during the 2018 Vice Presidential Debate organise by Nigeria Election Debates Group in Abuja on Friday (14/12/18) 06664/14/12/2018/Hogan Bassey/BJO/NAN

FACT-CHECK: The Truths, half-truths and lies presented at Nigerian vice presidential debate

Wrestling

National Sports Festival: Buhari, Osinbajo expected at closing ceremony

Discussion about this post

Search

#EndSARS: Latest Updates




Polaris Bank


JAIZ Ad


Explore Akwa Ibom Ad


Explore Akwa Ibom Ad


Access Bank Ad


NITDA Ad





Glo Ad

Subscribe to News via Email

Enter your email address and receive notifications of news by email.

Join 1,653,672 other subscribers.

Advertisement






netherland biz school Advert



Zenith Advert

ADVERTISEMENT

Our Digital Network

  • PT Hausa
  • Election Centre
  • Human Trafficking Investigation
  • Centre for Investigative Journalism
  • National Conference
  • Press Attack Tracker
  • PT Academy
  • Dubawa
  • LeaksNG
  • Campus Reporter

Resources

  • Oil & Gas Facts
  • List of Universities in Nigeria
  • LIST: Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria
  • NYSC Orientation Camps in Nigeria
  • Nigeria’s Federal/States’ Budgets since 2005
  • Malabu Scandal Thread
  • World Cup 2018
  • Panama Papers Game
  • Our Digital Network
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Projects
  • Data & Infographics
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • Parliament Watch
    • AGAHRIN
  • Opinion
  • PT Hausa
  • The Membership Club
  • Dubawa
    • Dubawa NG
  • About Us
    • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Store
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.