Lucky Aiyedatiwa has officially taken office as the governor of Ondo State, marking the start of his first full four-year term. This comes after he stepped in as acting governor in 2023 following the unfortunate passing of Rotimi Akeredolu.
The highly anticipated swearing-in ceremony took place on Monday at the Ondo State Sports Complex in Akure, the state’s capital. It came just two months after Aiyedatiwa triumphed in the governorship election under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC). At exactly 12:59 pm, he took the oath of office, just moments after his deputy, Olayide Adelami, did the same. The celebration continued as Aiyedatiwa waved to excited supporters while riding in an open van around the complex.
This inauguration marks a significant milestone for Aiyedatiwa as he formally assumes leadership of Ondo State for the next four years, completing the transition of power. His path to securing a full term was not without challenges, with former deputy governor Agboola Ajayi emerging as his fiercest competitor. Ajayi ran under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but Aiyedatiwa’s victory was clear.
Aiyedatiwa’s win was officially confirmed on November 16, 2024, when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him the winner of the governorship race. The announcement, made by Olayemi Akinwumi, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State, revealed that Aiyedatiwa received 366,781 votes, far outpacing Ajayi, who secured 117,845 votes. The results were a testament to Aiyedatiwa's strong appeal across the state, as the APC swept all 18 local government areas.
With his inauguration complete, Aiyedatiwa is set to lead Ondo State into a new era of growth and development.
