Aiyedatiwa sworn in as Ondo gov; promises to complete Akeredolu’s projects

The Acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has been sworn in as the governor of the Sunshine State.

The swearing-in was held at the Cocoa Conference Hall in the governor’s office in Akure, the state capital and was administered by the chief judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola at 5:18 pm.

“It is with a heavy heart that I accept this honorous responsibility of taking over the reins of governance and affairs of our state after the unfortunate loss and passing of our beloved governor and leader and my dear principal arakurin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu,” Aiyedatiwa said in his opening remarks as the number one citizen of the state,

Present to witness the swearing-in are other judges and top government officials, including the secretary to the state government and members of the state cabinet, the state All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman and members of the state house of assembly.

READ ALSO: Ondo Gov Rotimi Akeredolu is dead

His inauguration followed the death of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu earlier on Wednesday.

Security officials gathered at the government house to witness the swearing-in of Aiyedatiwa as Governor of Ondo state

Aiyedatiwa’s walk to becoming the governor of Ondo State was a long one that lasted one year since Akeredolu suffered health challenges before he eventually succumbed to the claws of death on Wednesday in faraway Germany where he was being treated for prostate cancer.

Aiyedatiwa survived an impeachment plot by Akeredolu’s allies in the Ondo State House of Assembly and stark opposition by his late principal’s foot soldiers.

Controversy enveloped the politics of the state in the last few months with activists and constitutional lawyers calling on Akeredolu to transmit power to Aiyedatiwa in line with the 1999 Constitution.

Dignitaries at the Cocoa house to witness the swearing-in of Aiyedatiwa as Governor of Ondo State
Dignitaries at the Cocoa house to witness the swearing-in of Aiyedatiwa as Governor of Ondo State

Akeredolu was in and out of hospitals abroad before he breathed his last on December 27, 2023.

Eventually, Akeredolu, a second-term governor before his death, transmitted power to Aiyedatiwa on December 13, 2023, as he embarked on a fresh medical trip overseas, the second in 2023.

Akeredolu, 67, could not make it back to Nigeria as he died of complications arising from prostate cancer.

I’ll complete Akeredolu’s projects — Governor Aiyedatiwa

The new governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has promised to complete projects started by late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

Governor Aiyedatiwa made the promise shortly after taking oath of office. He was sworn in by the Chief Judge, Odusola Olusegun, in Akure.

According to the governor, “Our Leader, during his time, embarked on landmark projects many of which had been completed and some are ongoing.

“I now have the burden to complete them. It is necessary for us to acknowledge the achievements of Akeredolu. His records of performance are monumental.

“This administration shall continue to advance the welfare of the people. We shall place the people first in every decision we take.”

The governor said he accepted to take over the reins of the affair of the state with a heavy heart following Akeredolu’s death.

‘We were close’
Aiyedatiwa added: “The death of our governor and leader was a devasting shock to the people of the state. It’s a colossal loss to the state and Nigeria.”

The Ondo Governor said his relationship with Akeredolu dated back many years and was not affected by the loss of the 2012 governorship election.

Also, the governor said Akeredolu was “a man of courage and vision who always stood for the truth even at his detriment. He pursued the course of Amotekun even when he had his victory being contended at the court.

“The people of Ondo and the Southwest will be grateful for the establishment of Amotekun, which had increased security in the state.

“His many legacies in the health sector, infrastructural, industrial hub, his innovation and entrepreneurial agency will be difficult to surpass.

“The events in the last few days are a watershed in the history of the state. This event has placed a burden on all of us. We have the responsibility to continue to sustain Akeredolu’s legacy which was good governance,” Governor Aiyedatiwa added.