As Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa begins his first full term on February 24, 2025, Ondo State enters a new phase of leadership filled with both anticipation and challenges. Aiyedatiwa, who had served as deputy governor under the late Rotimi Akeredolu, overcame various political obstacles to assume the role of governor after Akeredolu’s passing in December 2024. His rise to power included overcoming opposition from a faction of the state government and securing the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket, despite facing competition from 15 other parties. Aiyedatiwa’s victory in the November 2024 election, where he triumphed in all 18 local government areas, marked a significant milestone, as he garnered over 366,000 votes, far surpassing his rival, Agboola Ajayi of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who received 117,000 votes.
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As Aiyedatiwa’s new administration begins, there are high expectations in several key areas such as security, agriculture, healthcare, youth employment, education, and infrastructure. Since the return of democracy in 1999, every governor of Ondo State has been remembered for significant achievements, whether in education, infrastructure, or healthcare. Aiyedatiwa now faces the task of building on this legacy while addressing pressing issues.
His predecessors, like the late Chief Adebayo Adefarati and Dr. Olusegun Agagu, left lasting impacts on the state, especially in education and infrastructure. Dr. Olusegun Mimiko is also noted for his health programs, while Akeredolu’s focus on security, especially his role in establishing the Amotekun security network, resonated strongly with the people.
As the seventh executive governor of Ondo, Aiyedatiwa’s challenge will be to deliver on the promises made during his campaign, including the completion of ongoing projects and the development of critical sectors. During his campaign, Aiyedatiwa emphasized his commitment to improving infrastructure, healthcare, education, and security. He also promised to address rural development and ensure the safety of residents through better-equipped security forces.
However, opposition parties are skeptical about his leadership. The PDP criticizes Aiyedatiwa for a lack of impactful governance during his brief time as acting governor, accusing him of neglecting projects initiated by Akeredolu and failing to address the state’s challenges. The PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, warned that Aiyedatiwa’s second term would be another period of missed opportunities for the people of Ondo, pointing to issues in healthcare, education, and abandoned infrastructure projects.
Similarly, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is challenging Aiyedatiwa’s election, with the party’s chairman, Gbenga Akinbuli, claiming he ascended to office through unfair means. Akinbuli believes the results of the election are still subject to legal contestation.
In contrast, the APC’s Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, dismissed these claims, emphasizing that Aiyedatiwa’s victory reflected the people’s trust in his leadership. Otaloro expressed confidence that Aiyedatiwa’s administration would build on the achievements of the Akeredolu government, particularly in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security. He urged the opposition to focus on constructive dialogue instead of negativity.
Public affairs analyst Dr. Gbenga Abimbola also pointed out that, given Aiyedatiwa’s experience as part of Akeredolu’s government, he has no excuse for non-performance and must deliver substantial results during his term.
