Ondo Governorship: Gov Aiyedatiwa Declares Interest, Says He’s Next Annoited Governor

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Tuesday officially declared intention to run for the governorship of the state.

Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has fixed November 17 for the governorship election, while primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to elect its flagbearer will hold in April.

Aiyedatiwa became governor of the state in December last year following the demise of former governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

He is expected to complete the second term tenure of Akeredolu in February, next year.

Aiyedatiwa re echoed what he termed wish of the late governor, which was “that I succeed him, not in death though, as the next Governor of the State.”

“He was a courageous and visionary leader who had no time for pretence and so he expressed this wish at different fora in both public and private.

“All was with one conviction and implicit confidence in me to carry on the torch of accelerated development which he lighted first in 2017 and later renewed under a joint ticket for both of us in the 2021 gubernatorial election.”

He highlighted various achievements of the administration since his assumption of office which he said has brought back the people’s confidence in the administration.

“All these combined have quickly restored the confidence of our people in the administration, a confidence that was earlier eroded by the inordinate quest of anti- democracy elements.

“Today, I have come before you in response to the popular yearnings and aspirations of our people to sustain this path of progress and development in the State.

Our people and party faithfuls, through multi-dimensional platforms, have expressed their desire for the continuity of this administration beyond 2025.

“The trajectory of my experiences in governance as former Representative of Ondo State on the Board of NDDC, one-time Deputy Governor, and three times Acting Governor under our late sage and now the incumbent Governor of Ondo State are is too material to be wished away!

“The poser therefore is whether or not to respect the people’s yearnings for sustainable good governance they have enjoyed in the last seven years.

“The people of Ondo State must not suddenly find themselves in Egypt. Never!Today, I stand before you in all humility and with a fierce commitment to the greatness of our Sunshine State.

“I offer myself, in difference to your popular yearnings and upon wide consultations, not just to run the race, but to be the candidate of our great party, APC in the 2024 gubernatorial election.

“I have a clear agenda to sustain Ondo State on the path of glory and development. Life must be more meaningful to our people

“My mission would focus on key developmental issues to alleviate poverty, banish hunger and make Ondo State self-sustaining.

My development agenda is to emplace a State Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (SEEDS). Under SEEDS, we would harmonize all plans for economic development.

“The strategy of this MISSION is to birth policies aimed at wealth creation, employment generation, sustenance of high standard of living and consequently eradicate poverty among the people.

Aside Aiyedatiwa, other aspirants including Olusola Oke, who is vying for the third time, Wale Akinterinwa, former Finance Commissioner in late Akeredolu’s government and Isaacs Kekemeke among others have lined up for the APC ticket.