Candidates for the Lagos Chairmanship of the APC Party are deeply involved in a certificate forgery scandals

Some APC chairmanship candidates in the Lagos state local government council election in July are currently embroiled in various certificate forgery scandals.

Princess Surah Olayemi Animashaun of Epe LGA, Kevin Oluwaseun Gabriel, formerly known as Kelvin Luchiano of Apapa LGA, and Kafayat Layeni of Ojodu Local Council Development Authority are among the candidates (LCDA).

There are questions about Funmilayo Mohammed of Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Hamed Salawu of Shomolu, and Olarunde Folorunsho of Olorunda LCDA’s credentials, which are currently being investigated.

Surah, who is being sponsored by Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun, the Oloja of Epe Kingdom, presented a fake West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate despite claiming to have graduated from a Nigerian university.

On the 24th of May, 2021, the Epe APC candidate submitted two separate statements of results to the party’s Tola Kasali-led screening committee, and on the 27th of May, 2021, to the Department of State Services.

Surah’s name and the same year, 1991, were on both statements of results, but the inputs were different.

The APC candidate also refused to present the original WAEC certificate 30 years after taking the exam, according to SaharaReporters.

Surah also failed to submit a certificate or exemption letter from the National Youth Service Corps, indicating that she served or was exempted.

Kafayat, the APC candidate in Ojodu LCDA, was also presented with a forged certificate by James Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives representing the Ikeja Federal Constituency.

WAEC has rejected her claim that she received a C6 in the English Language, a C5 in Government, a C4 in Economics, a C4 in Mathematics, a D7 in Biology, a C5 in Commerce, and a C3 in Accounts.

Kevin, who is backed by Mr Tunde Balogun, the APC party chairman in Lagos State, also presented a fake National Examination Council (NECO) certificate in Apapa LGA, claiming he took the exam in November 2008 at the Command High School, Araromi-Obu, Ondo state, at the age of over 40.

The school did not conduct any NECO external examinations in November 2008, according to a letter obtained.

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“I stated unequivocally that the above-mentioned school does not have a center for NECO External candidates, and that the school does not hold NECO external examinations in November 2008.” As a result, the school disassociates itself from any fraudulent practices,” read a letter signed on behalf of the Principal by the Vice Principal, Academic.

An APC official stated that immediate action must be taken to ensure that the party does not lose seats as a result of fielding these questionable candidates.

“Right now, investigations are ongoing in areas like Apapa Iganmu with Funmilayo Mohammed, Shomolu with Hamed Salawu, and Olarunde Folorunsho of Olorunda LCDA because these areas are also likely to be affected,” he said.

“The problems with these forged documents are not limited to chairmen and their deputies; councillors in some local governments are also involved. Toheeb Shokunbi, a councillor in Ikorordu Central, is one of many such cases across the state.

“One has to wonder why the APC did not conduct a thorough and proper verification process prior to putting these candidates on the ballot box. The APC must now act quickly because the opposition parties have all of the evidence of these wrongdoings and are ready to use it to their advantage if the need arises.”