Aiyedatiwa Sworn In As Ondo Governor, Makes Fresh Appointments
Ondo State deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa was yesterday sworn in as governor following the death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Aiyedatiwa took the oath of office after Akeredolu died of prostate cancer in the early hours of Wednesday in Germany.
In the presence of thousands of political supporters, Aiyedatiwa, who had earlier been governing the state in “acting capacity”, was sworn in as the seventh governor of the state, by the Chief Judge, Olusegun Odunsola.
Speaking after his swearing-in, Aiyedatiwa said it was with a heavy heart that he accepted the onerous responsibility of taking over the reins of governance and affairs of the state following the unfortunate loss and passing of Akeredolu.
He said Akeredolu’s death was a devastating shock to him, stressing that the state had been praying earnestly for his quick recovery and subsequent safe return before the unfortunate incident.
“The demise of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON is indeed a great loss to me as an individual as our relationship dated back to many years ago, having closely worked with him when his gubernatorial journey started in year 2012.
“The loss then did not affect our relationship as we continued to maintain a close political and personal relationship, which climaxed in the year 2020 when he graciously picked me as his running mate for his second term as governor of Ondo State.
“Governor Akeredolu was a man of courage and conviction who always stood for the truth even at his own detriment. I remember vividly during the time when we had a case in court challenging our second term victory. He still pursued the matter of emplacing a strong security network for the people of the Southwest codenamed ‘Amotekun Corps’.
“The people of Ondo State and the entire people of the South West will be eternally grateful for this bold act, which has greatly improved the security architecture in the region and reduced incidents of kidnapping, banditry and other acts of criminalities to the barest minimum especially in Ondo State,” he said.
He said the many legacies of Akeredolu in the health sector, infrastructural development, education, industrial development as symbolised in the Ondo-Linyl Industrial Hub, Ore, among others would be difficult to surpass.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, in a statement last night by Deputy Chief of Staff, Olusegun Omojuwa, announced five fresh political appointments after his swearing-in.
He named Ebenezer Adeniyan his Chief Press Secretary; Sunday Abire, Special Assistant on New Media; Smart Omodunbi, Special Assistant to the Governor (Political Matters); Motunrayo Oyedele, Special Assistant to the Governor (Photography) and Temitayo Iperepolu, Special Assistant to the Governor (Domestic and Government House).
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties to Late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Dare Aragbaiye, yesterday resigned.
“My decision to resign was prompted by the untimely death of my principal, a fearless and honest leader, Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, to whom I remain loyal even in death.”
