Ondo awaits new governance era as Aiyedatiwa begins fresh mandate

As Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa takes the oath of office for his first full term, Ondo State enters a new political chapter filled with both high expectations and critical challenges, writes PETER DADA

Monday, February 24, 2025, marks another historic day in Ondo State as Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is sworn in for a second term. Before this, Aiyedatiwa, a former deputy governor to the late Rotimi Akeredolu, overcame numerous hurdles to attain the state’s highest office. He faced fierce political battles while his former boss was abroad for medical treatment, with some government cabal opposing his appointment as acting governor. However, through providence, he first became the acting governor and later the substantive governor. Notably, Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as governor on December 27, 2024, following Akeredolu’s death in Germany.

After becoming governor, Aiyedatiwa faced another round of challenges in securing the All Progressives Congress governorship ticket to contest the November 16, 2024, election amid strong opposition from 15 other political parties. However, he was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission, having achieved an unprecedented victory in all 18 local government areas of the state. Aiyedatiwa won with over 366,000 votes, defeating his main rival and former deputy governor Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party who came second with 117,000 votes.

As the journey of another four years at the helm of the Sunshine State begins on Monday, many expect a better and more prosperous Ondo State under Aiyedatiwa’s administration. Critical sectors where high expectations lie include security, agriculture, health, youth employment, education, and infrastructure.

Since 1999, when democracy was restored in Nigeria, every governor who has led Ondo State has had at least one notable achievement for which they are still remembered. The late Chief Adebayo Adefarati, an educationist, served as governor under the Alliance for Democracy from 1999 to 2003. His administration is remembered for its outstanding performance in the health and education sectors. His successor, the late Dr Olusegun Agagu, a geologist, governed the state from 2003 to 2009 under the Peoples Democratic Party. His administration was widely praised for its remarkable contributions to the state’s infrastructural development.

Dr Olusegun Mimiko succeeded Agagu and remains the only governor in the state’s political history to have completed two full terms. He began his tenure as a member of the Labour Party and later transitioned to the Peoples Democratic Party. His administration was widely recognised and praised for implementing distinct and impactful health programmes. The former governor received numerous accolades for his achievements in the health sector.

The immediate past administration of the late Akeredolu left a lasting impression on the residents, particularly for its focus on security. Akeredolu, in collaboration with other South-West governors, played a pivotal role in establishing the Southwest Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun, across the region. He ensured that the agency in Ondo State was well-funded and equipped to protect the lives of its citizens.

Aiyedatiwa will be sworn in as the seventh executive governor of the Sunshine State on Monday, marking the beginning of a new four-year term. The people of the state eagerly anticipate his leadership, wondering which sector he will prioritise for outstanding performance, as his predecessors did, amid the many challenges facing the state.

Constitutionally, he has only one term to serve, allowing him to either leave a lasting legacy or fall short in the annals of the state’s history. During his campaign ahead of last year’s governorship election, he made several promising pledges that have already raised public expectations. He vowed to improve the lives of the people and complete all unfinished projects from his administration and that of his predecessor.

One could recall that during one of the campaigns, Aiyedatiwa said, “No doubt, we have initiated many projects, and we will do more. Our roads, schools, and hospitals are receiving attention. We have also ensured security in the state. We are also employing more teachers in schools. I want to assure you that nothing will distract our administration from giving our people the best to improve the quality of their lives. Our administration will continue to prioritise healthcare and infrastructure development if we are elected.”

He added, “We recognise the importance of security, and that is why we have continued to equip our security outfits with operational vehicles, especially the Amotekun Corps. We are working closely with other security agencies to ensure the safety of our people and protect livelihoods across the state. We understand the significance of good roads for trade and movement. The Isua road will receive attention soon, and we are committed to upgrading healthcare services to provide better care for the people of the local government.”

However, members of the opposition parties are pessimistic about the incoming administration, believing it will be even more sluggish than the previous one, as they do not see Aiyedatiwa as a governor with anything significant to offer the state.

The PDP in the state argued that Aiyedatiwa does not understand the business of governance. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Kennedy Peretei, emphasised that Aiyedatiwa had been clueless during his one year in the Alagbaka Government House, alleging that he failed to complete projects initiated by the Akeredolu administration and did not make any meaningful impact on the state. To the PDP, the next four years would be another period of wasted opportunities for the people.

“There is nothing more to expect from the ‘standstill’ government of Lucky Aiyedatiwa, having failed tragically to prove to the people of Ondo that he can deliver the dividends of democracy in the last year. However, we wish to remind the governor that the people are suffering from his lacklustre performance. The hospitals are in dire need of personnel and equipment. The schools lack teachers and teaching aids. All the road projects started by his former boss, Akeredolu, have been abandoned. Let him pray that his case does not end up like that of a snake passing over a rock without leaving a trace,” Peretei criticised.

Similarly, the state chapter of the Social Democratic Party was also critical of the incoming administration. Its state chairman, Mr Gbenga Akinbuli, stated that nothing better should be expected from Aiyedatiwa’s government. He added that the election results were already being challenged in court, expressing optimism about securing a favourable judgment.

He said, “First of all, we don’t believe he has a government because I believe he got the government through crooked means. It’s like putting something on nothing—it can’t stand. But then, he’s going to be sworn in, and that’s a reality nobody can contest. We wish him the best and hope that in the little time he will be there before we take over power, he does the needful. We don’t believe he is the governor yet because he got there through the back door. So we are going to use the court to chase him out. I believe that.”

On the other hand, the Director of Media and Publicity of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Steve Otaloro, dismissed the opposition’s claims, stating that Aiyedatiwa’s victory in the last election was not a fluke but a reflection of the people’s love for him. He also expressed confidence that the governor would perform better in key sectors over the next four years.

“As we prepare for Governor Aiyedatiwa’s inauguration, it’s disappointing to see persistent negativity and baseless claims from opposition parties that have failed to resonate with the people of Ondo State. The governor’s decisive victory in the last election demonstrates the trust and confidence the people have in his leadership. This landslide win reflects the collective desire for progress, development, and good governance that the APC has championed.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration is committed to building on the solid foundation laid by his predecessor, guided by principles of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. We urge the public to focus on the numerous achievements of the APC leadership in Ondo State, including infrastructure development, education reform, healthcare improvement, and agricultural development.

“Additionally, the administration has implemented various security initiatives, including Amotekun security measures and collaborations with local and federal security agencies, to ensure a peaceful environment for all. We also recognise the importance of youth empowerment, with programmes aimed at providing skills training, entrepreneurship opportunities, and support for startups. As we move forward, we urge the opposition to focus on constructive criticism and collaboration rather than unfounded negativity. The people of Ondo State have high expectations, and we are committed to meeting and exceeding them through diligent service and innovative governance.”

A public affairs analyst, Dr Gbenga Abimbola, also weighed in, stating that Governor Aiyedatiwa has a lot of work to do in the state and should have no excuse for non-performance, given that he was part of Akeredolu’s administration.

“I expect him, having been part of the outgoing administration as deputy governor and later governor for over a year, to complete the ongoing projects. Many of these projects have been slightly neglected and are no longer active. He should mobilise contractors back to the sites and ensure that those projects are completed because he was part of that government, and he is now the governor finishing that term.

“I also expect him to prioritise education. Education is key. Though the government has made efforts to fund tertiary institutions, universities alone cannot solve our problems. We need to invest in primary, secondary, and technical education. Although there are technical colleges scattered across the state, they are almost defunct. He should prioritise and fund them, equipping them with materials, equipment, and teachers to produce middle-level manpower in the state.

“The governor must also recognise that whatever he does will go down in history. He should play less politics. Given the existing law, many expect that he will serve only one term, meaning he would have spent about five years in office. By then, he will be completing his tenure, so he should focus on development – both human and infrastructural. Rural areas are yearning for development.

“In Ondo State, like in many parts of the country, hunger is a major issue, so we need to invest in agriculture. The governor must prioritise that. Finally, he should fortify the Amotekun Corps because that was the legacy of his predecessor. He must strengthen and properly equip the corps to tackle kidnapping, abduction, and insecurity. The Nigerian Police and federal security agencies alone cannot handle these challenges, which is why Amotekun was created. He must ensure it has adequate manpower and equipment to function effectively.”