Association Of Frauds: Lagos Chairmanship Candidates For APC Party In Messy Certificate Scandals

Some APC chairmanship candidates in the Lagos state local government council election in July are now embroiled in various certificate fraud issues.

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 contestants (LCDA).

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

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

On the 24th of May, 2021, the Epe APC candidate filed 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 assertions of findings, but the inputs were different.

The APC candidate also declined to provide the actual WAEC certificate 30 years after passing the exam, according to SaharaReporters.

Surah also neglected to present 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 provided with a forged certificate by James Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives representing the Ikeja Federal Constituency.

WAEC has rejected her allegation that she received a C6 in 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 endorsed by Mr Tunde Balogun, the APC party chairman in Lagos state, also produced a bogus National Examination Council (NECO) certificate at 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 received by SaharaReporters.

“I stated clearly that the above school mentioned does not have a center for NECO External candidates and that the school does not conduct NECO external examination in November 2008. Therefore the school dissociates herself from any fraudulent practices,” a letter signed by the Vice Principal, Academic on behalf of the Principal read.

An APC official told SaharaReporters that immediate measures must be done to ensure that the party does not lose seats as a result of fielding these questionable candidates.

He said, “Currently, investigations are ongoing in areas like Apapa Iganmu with Funmilayo Mohammed, Shomolu with Hamed Salawu and Olarunde Folorunsho of Olorunda LCDA as these areas are likely to be affected as well.

“The issues of these false documents are not limited to just the chairmen and their deputies, councillors in some local governments too are involved in the mess. The case of Toheeb Shokunbi, a councillor in Ikorordu Central, and very many are scattered all over the state.

“One wonders why the APC did not do a thorough and proper verification process before fielding these candidates. APC must now act fast as the opposition parties are well equipped with all the evidence of these malpractices and are waiting to use it to their advantage should the need arise.”