A’Ibom LG poll: Eket PDP aspirant certificate fake — UNICAL alleges
Ahead of the local government election scheduled for October 5, 2024, in Akwa Ibom State, the University of Calabar has officially denounced the degree certificate presented by Mr. Akaniyene Tommey Ikott, the Transition Committee chairman of Eket Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, as fake and not originating from the university. Mr. Ikott, who is the sole aspirant under the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) for Eket, reportedly faces allegations that other aspirants have been barred from contesting by Governor Umo Eno.
An outgoing Eket chapter executive member of PDP speaking anonymously said that a commissioner in the state executive council who knows about Mr. Ikott’s forgery is the one who misled the governor to adopt him as sole candidate and that it is mischievous to say that the governor has knowledge of Mr. Ikott’s fake certificate.
Our Correspondent obtained a Certified True Copy of an affidavit sworn by Mr. Ikott dated 15 January 2021, which claims that he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from the University of Calabar. Also, a Certified True Copy of Akaniyene Ikott’s degree certificate with registration no.07/BSW-4/030 allegedly issued by the University of Calabar on 11 November 2015, showed that Mr Ikott holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of Calabar.
However, the Registrar of the University of Calabar, Gabriel O. Egbe, issued a disclaimer letter dated July 23, 2024, addressed to Sara Sass, Esq., a United States Attorney at SASS LAW LLC, 8647 Richmond Highway, VA, Washington DC. In the letter, Egbe stated, “Ikott, Akaniyene Tommey was a student in the Department of Social Work at this University. He was admitted in the 2007/2008 academic session.” Egbe further clarified, “According to his Head of Department and available records, he still has some failed courses to remedy.” He concluded definitively, “Therefore, the attached certificate is FAKE and did not emanate from this University.”
A source within the PDP in Eket, who holds a government position and wishes to remain anonymous, revealed that Mr. Ikott is currently under investigation in the U.S. by private investigators. The source emphasised that if Mr. Ikott denies the allegation of forging his certificate, the findings of the private investigation will be submitted to the United States authorities, including the FBI and INTERPOL. Challenging Mr. Ikott to publicly refute the allegations and to cease hiding behind pseudonyms, the source stated that if he acts with integrity, the matter could potentially be resolved without further escalation.
The source revealed that Mr. Ikott leveraged his relationship with the governor to secure the PDP ticket for Eket, despite concerns about his conduct, warning that his deception would not go unpunished. “Those in glass houses should not throw stones,” the source asserted.
Additionally, the source disclosed that an influential commissioner within the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council is allegedly orchestrating a scheme to manipulate or seize records at the University of Calabar through an individual associated with organising the annual Eket Festival. “University authorities and security agencies have been alerted to this suspicious activity,” the source claimed.
The source also warned of potential consequences if unscrupulous university staff were compromised to alter Mr. Ikott’s academic records, aimed at discrediting the information provided by the U.S. Attorney. This, in turn, could prompt the Attorney to issue a statement from Washington DC, potentially tarnishing the credibility of Nigerian education credentials abroad.
However, the source expressed confidence in the integrity of the University of Calabar, dismissing any suggestion that the esteemed institution would be complicit in such activities.
A former Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State in former Governor Victor Attah’s era speaking on condition of anonymity wondered why Governor Umo Eno delights in getting himself and Akwa Ibom State embroiled in forgery issues, noting that such image damages him and the state.
Another PDP source disclosed to our reporter that Governor Eno unilaterally endorsed Akaniyene Tommey Ikott as the sole aspirant for Eket local government in the upcoming October election on July 1, 2024. The source further alleged that the governor warned other potential aspirants that they are not supported.
This decision comes despite widespread awareness in Eket about Mr. Ikott’s alleged history of leaving the University of Calabar without completing his studies, along with the controversy surrounding a purportedly fake certificate from the institution, which the governor is said to be well aware of.
An aide to Mr Akaniyene Ikott told Correspondents that they are not permitted to speak on the matter.
