Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the erstwhile second-in-command in Ondo State, is now the Governor of the Southwest State.
Aiyedatiwa was sworn in Wednesday evening at the Cocoa Conference Hall in the Governor’s Office in Akure, the capital city of Ondo, following the demise of his principal, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Akeredolu, who was serving his second term, died on Wednesday morning at the age of 67 after battling with protracted prostate cancer for months.
He left for Germany on 13 December on a medical leave, the second time in 2023; and transferred power to Aiyedatiwa as acting governor in his absence.
“Governor Akeredolu answered the eternal call while receiving medical treatment in Germany,” a statement by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, read, “He succumbed to complications arising from protracted prostate cancer.”
Aiyedatiwa took the oath of office administered by the chief judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola at exactly 5:18 p.m.
“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,” the new Governor said.
He promised to complete the landmark projects started by the late Akeredolu and to prioritise the welfare of the Ondo people.
“Today’s event has placed a burden on all of us to stay together as one because we have to onerous responsibility to continue to sustain the legacies of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, which was good governance,” Governor Aiyedatiwa said.
“We now have the responsibility to complete them. It is necessary for us to acknowledge with pride, the wonderful achievements and legacies of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, CON.”
He continued, “Our leader and governor embarked upon several landmark projects many of which have been completed and several others ongoing.”
“His records of performance are monumental and unprecedented. I want to assure the people of Ondo State that under my watch, this administration shall continue to advance the welfare of the people. We shall always place the people first in every decision we take.”
Governor Aiyedatiwa announced a three-day mourning period starting Thursday in honour of Akeredolu, with all flags in the State flown at half-mast.
