Aiyedatiwa Declares Interest in Ondo Poll, Says Nobody Wants to Be Gov for One Year

Segun James

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has disclosed that he will contest the November 2024 governorship election in the state, adding that nobody wants to be governor for one year,

Speaking during a television interview at the weekend, Aiyedatiwa said he never fell out with his former principal, the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
In December 2023, Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as the substantive governor of Ondo State, following the death of Akeredolu.

Before Akeredolu’s demise, Aiyedatiwa had been battling impeachment threats from the state House of Assembly while the former governor was sick.
It was rumoured that the relationship between Aiyedatiwa and Akeredolu was not cordial, hence the impeachment moves.

Ahead of the November 2024 governorship election, it is being speculated that loyalists of the late Akeredolu may not support Aiyedatiwa in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election.
The governor will have to battle with the likes of Jimoh Ibrahim, a senator, and a former Commissioner of Finance in the state, Wale Akinterinwa, for the APC ticket.

During the interview, Aiyedatiwa was asked if he reconciled with Akeredolu before his death.
“Let me put this straight for record’s sake: I never had an issue with my former principal (Akeredolu),” Aiyedatiwa said in response.
“There was no time we had a face-off or an issue that would demand that I had to make up with him.

 “All that was being pushed up at that time was political and false insinuation because the election was coming and the governor was very sick.”
Asked if he will contest the Ondo election, Aiyedatiwa said: “Definitely, I will be running. I’m already a sitting governor. Let me say this: Nobody wants to be governor for one year.

“Give me what the constitution allows me to do. At least, let me have a chance of running for one more term,” Aiyedatiwa added.