Why I Didn’t Present my Certificate of Return to APC Chairman Ganduje – Aiyedatiwa

The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has clarified that his decision to withhold presenting his Certificate of Return to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, was not an act of disrespect.

Aiyedatiwa, who won reelection in last Saturday’s governorship election, received his Certificate of Return on Wednesday at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja.

Following the presentation, the governor, accompanied by Ondo APC leaders, visited the APC National Working Committee (NWC) at the party’s secretariat, where they were warmly welcomed. However, Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Adelami Olaide, did not follow the usual protocol of presenting their certificates to the party chairman.

Speaking to Saturday PUNCH, Aiyedatiwa explained that his decision stemmed from a desire to honor President Bola Tinubu as the leader of the party.

“I am supposed to first present the certificate to Mr. President, the leader of this party,” Aiyedatiwa said. “But since he is not in town, I cannot present it to the chairman first. It is not a case of disrespect but simply doing what I believe is right.”

The governor reaffirmed his respect for Ganduje’s leadership, highlighting the party’s electoral success under his chairmanship. “Since Ganduje took over as chairman, we have not lost any election,” Aiyedatiwa added.