Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has clarified the reason behind his refusal to present his Certificate of Return to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje.
Aiyedatiwa, who was re-elected in the just concluded gubernatorial election, received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday at the national headquarters in Abuja.
After the ceremony, the governor, accompanied by his deputy, Adelami Olaide, led a delegation of Ondo party officials to meet with members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) at the party secretariat.
However, when it came to the tradition of presenting the Certificate of Return to the party leadership, both Aiyedatiwa and his deputy deliberately refrained from handing it over to Ganduje.
This move sparked questions about whether there was any underlying issue between the governor and the APC national chairman.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Aiyedatiwa explained that his decision had nothing to do with disrespect. Instead, he stressed that it was a matter of protocol.
“I am supposed to first of all present the certificate to Mr. President, the leader of this party,” Aiyedatiwa said. “But he is not in town. That is why I cannot present the certificate to Mr. Chairman first. So, it is not a case of being disrespectful.”
The Governor further explained that he believed the honor of presenting the certificate should go first to President Bola Tinubu, the leader of the APC, before being handed over to Ganduje. However, because the President was out of town, Aiyedatiwa felt it was better to meet the party’s NWC, acknowledging their importance, especially under Ganduje’s leadership.
“I just believe that is the right thing to do by presenting it to Mr. President first of all before coming here,” he explained. “But since I am in Abuja, I had to come. I recognize the leadership that Ganduje has provided for this party at the national and even the state level.”
The Governor went on to express his appreciation for Ganduje’s leadership, citing his success in maintaining a strong presence for the APC, both at the national and state levels.
“Since he took over as the chairman of this party, we have not lost any election,” Aiyedatiwa added. “So, there is no personal reason for not presenting my certificate to him. It is simply about respecting the protocol that governs our party.”
Aiyedatiwa’s clarification puts to rest any speculation about tension or disagreements between him and Ganduje. The act of presenting a Certificate of Return is a customary gesture that signifies a candidate’s electoral victory. While it is often presented to party leaders like the national chairman, the practice of presenting it first to the President has been a longstanding tradition in the party.
The Governor’s refusal to present the certificate to Ganduje immediately also aligns with the respect given to the office of the President, as the APC’s leader.
Ondo State, which is governed by Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Adelami Olaide, recently secured a resounding win in the gubernatorial elections. The re-election of Aiyedatiwa marked a significant victory for the APC in the southwestern region, reinforcing the party’s hold on the state.
Aiyedatiwa’s decision not to present the certificate to Ganduje directly, however, raised eyebrows among some political observers. Many wondered whether the move could be seen as an attempt to sideline Ganduje or a reflection of a broader power play within the APC.
Despite the speculation, the Governor’s comments reflect a well-thought-out decision that aligns with party protocol. He emphasized that his primary concern was upholding party unity and respecting the positions held by its leadership, particularly that of the President.
“I recognize the leadership of Ganduje, and I am fully committed to the success of our party,” Aiyedatiwa said in his statement. “My decision was simply about honoring the right sequence of events.”
