Aiyedatiwa Sworn-in as Ondo Gov, Assures of All-inclusive Govt, Appoints SSG, Others

•Pardons 43 convicts 

•Tinubu, Abiodun congratulate him

Deji Elumoye in Abuja, James Sowole in Abeokuta and Fidelis David in Akure

Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been sworn-in as the seventh Governor of Ondo State, marking the beginning of his first full four-year term after completing the term of his joint ticket with the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who died in 2023 after a prolonged illness.

The ceremony took place yesterday at the Ondo State Sports Complex in Akure, the state capital, two months after he won the November 16 governorship election on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).

He was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), after polling 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ajayi, who scored 117,845 votes.

Aiyedatiwa took his oath of office just after his running mate, Olayide Adelami, about 1pm and later rode in an open van around the complex, waving to cheers from supporters.

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, former governor, Bisi Akande (Osun).

In attendance, also, were former Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; and ex-governor Olusegun Osoba (Ogun); Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Youth, Ayodele Olawande; and Deputy Governor of Edo State, Felix Idahosa, among others.

Speaking after his inauguration, Aiyedatiwa vowed to continue to prioritise the welfare of the people of the coastal state, foster economic growth and ensure that the state remained a beacon of hope and prosperity for generations to come.

He stated, “We are in a hurry to justify this fresh mandate entrusted to us. In the next four years, we will work with interested investors and our development partners in ensuring that our Port Ondo becomes a reality. 

“We will also facilitate investors to explore our large deposits of bitumen for local use and export purposes, thereby generating huge revenue to the state.  

“This has been the vision and goals of our founding fathers.  There is no doubt that this would not be an easy task but we are prepared to frontally confront these challenges and succeed.”

He said his administration’s New Development Agenda, ‘O’ Datiwa, O’ Dirorun’ (OUR EASE), would focus on seven key pillars:  Order, Security, and Rule of Law; Urban/Rural Development via Agriculture and Blue Economy; Revolutionary Tech Advancement and Industrialisation; Efficient Healthcare and Socio-Economic Welfare; Adequate Power and Affordable Energy; Sustainable Infrastructure Development and Tourism, as well as Education, Human Capital Development, and Entrepreneurship.

Aiyedatiwa stated, “We shall provide a level playing ground for all to maximise their God-given potential, while creating an enabling environment for all to optimise the countless opportunities that abound in our State.  Let me assure you that nobody will be discriminated against on account of political, cultural, religious, gender or ethnic propensities.

“By the same token, I like to appeal to our friends in the opposition parties to join hands with our administration to develop the Sunshine State. We have no need for unnecessary political distractions which are costing us time, resources and energies that could be redirected and gainfully utilised for accelerated development of the State. There is room enough for all.

“We make a solemn pledge this day that we shall lead and govern with the fear of God and utmost dedication to the progress of the State. We will prioritise the welfare of our people, particularly the most vulnerable among us – the poor, the sick and the marginalised.”

Aiyedatiwa, who announced the extension of grace and mercy to 43 convicts commuted to various prison terms, highlighted his achievement within the last 14 months.

He said they included infrastructure development, provision of social amenities and public buildings while he has kept on the front burner the social well-being of the people.

The governor said, “We have impacted the state positively in agriculture, health, revenue generation, urban renewal, rural roads construction, education, employment, investments promotion and entrepreneurship. 

“We like to assure you that the overwhelming renewed mandate you have freely given to us has further placed on us a huge burden of leadership and we promise never to rest on our oars.”

He further expressed deep sorrow that his predecessor, Akeredolu, was not alive to witness his swearing-in ceremony, hailing his visionary leadership and tireless efforts in developing the Sunshine State.

Aiyedatiwa approved the appointment of Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, son of the leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, as Secretary to the State Government.

A statement by his press secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the appointment came immediately the governor resumed at his desk.

Until his appointment as SSG, Dr. Fasoranti, who hails from Akure South Local Government Area, was the chairman of the Ondo State Hospitals Management Board.

Aiyedatiwa also approved the reappointment of Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac as Commissioner for Finance.

For special advisers, the governor reappointed Johnson Alabi, Power; Dr. Seun Osamaye, Women Affairs; Comrade Bola Taiwo, Union Matters, and Special Duties and Prof Simidele Odimayo, Health.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Abiola Olawoye, was elevated to the position of Special Adviser, Infrastructure, Lands and Housing.

The statement said, “All the appointments take immediate effect. Governor Aiyedatiwa urged the new appointees to hit the ground running in providing effective and efficient services to the people of Ondo State,”

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Orimisan Aiyedatiwa on his fresh term in office.

The president, in a release by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Aiyedatiwa to use his overwhelming mandate to serve the good people of the state and build on the legacy of his illustrious predecessor, Akeredolu, by expanding economic opportunities, reducing poverty, improving security, and providing critical infrastructure.

Tinubu stated, “I congratulate you for your successful inauguration today for a new term of office after an outstanding run in the last governorship election in Ondo State.

“You have a rare privilege to succeed your illustrious predecessor, who worked for the growth and development of the state and advanced the progress of Nigeria as a whole.

“Having been sworn in today for a fresh term in office, I urge you to work in the best interest of the people of the state and our country as a whole. I will be your partner in progress to usher in a new era of prosperity to the people of Ondo State.”

Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) and Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, congratulated Aiyedatiwa on his inauguration as the seventh democratically elected governor of Ondo State.

Abiodun described the inauguration as a new chapter in a glorious dawn for the people of the Sunshine State. He said the governor had left no one in doubt about his resolve to radically transform the state and usher it into an era of prosperity under the APC banner.

He said the fact that the governor had just unveiled plans to boost tourism and investment in Ondo, showcasing Araromi Seaside’s potential to local and international investors, showed that he was in a hurry to unleash the potential of Ondo State and lift the people into an era of prosperity.

He said, “Even before his resounding victory at the November 16, 2024, governorship election in Ondo State, His Excellency, Mr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, had left no one in doubt that he is specially made for this time in Ondo State.

“As deputy governor to the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of blessed memory, the newly inaugurated Governor of Ondo State left no one in doubt about his passion and commitment to the upliftment of Ondo State, and his inauguration as the seventh democratically elected governor of Ondo State definitely marks a glorious dawn for the state.

“Together with the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelaide, Governor Aiyedatiwa is poised to bring a wealth of experience from the boardroom to usher Ondo State into an era of bountiful democratic dividends.

“On behalf of my colleagues at the Southern Governors’ Forum, I wish Governor Aiyedatiwa and his team great success in the saddle in Ondo State.”